Hire a Mom! How 10 Years At Home Made Me A Better Leader At Google | Martha Ivester | TEDxNashville

What is time “at-home” really worth? Google executive and mom of three, Martha Ivester shares what she learned about the value of her 10 years as a stay-at-home mom. Using Google’s research on effective managers and high-performing teams, she argues that instead of being penalized for time “off” to raise kids, moms should be recognized and rewarded for developing critical workplace skills like empathy and communication in their time at home.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Martha Ivester has worked for some of the world’s leading brands in technology, entertainment, and sports, including Google, Creative Artists Agency (CAA), Nike, Microsoft, and more. After a decade as a stay-at-home parent, Martha went back to work in the music industry before joining Google Fiber in 2015.
Source research:
Google Project Oxygen & Project Aristotle:
rework.withgoogle.com/
UMass Amherst:
The Fatherhood Bonus and The Motherhood Penalty: Parenthood and the Gender Gap in Pay (Bundig, 2014)
Third Way:
www.thirdway.org/report/the-f... Martha Ivester is the City Manager for Google Fiber in Nashville where she oversees Fiber’s day-to-day business operations and leads the local team on community affairs, business outreach, and customer acquisition and retention. Prior to joining Google in 2015, Martha was an executive at Creative Artists Agency (CAA). Prior to CAA, Ivester worked as Global Olympics Brand Director at Nike. She also previously headed Microsoft's marketing in Greater China, where she created and launched one of the company's first customer loyalty programs and accompanied Bill Gates on his first visit to China. Ivester began her career on Hewlett Packard's communications team and has also worked as brand consultant to United Airlines, IBM and STAR TV. She serves on boards for Nashville Entrepreneur Center, The Nashville Public Library Foundation, Communities in Schools of Tennessee, Tennessee Performing Arts Center, and Nashville Ballet, and is Board Chair of the Tennessee Entertainment Commission. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@sowmyaananthan4141]

I got back to work recently after a long break as a SAHM. I never thought I still had it in me 😅 But we women/moms are much more stronger and smarter than we think we are! Please give yourself some time and self criticism must definitely be thrown out the door!! We can do it 🙏👏👏👏

[@navidaahmedofficial6291]

This is a heart touching speech. I have done the same for 8 years and now planning to go back into some meaningful work. Never heard such a positive voice for motherhood. Thank you

[@marthaivester5460]

Thank you Navida and good luck with re-entry!

[@shizhan9094]

later you might find that raising your little baby is the most meaningful work you have ever done.

[@TracyFreese]

I have my first phone interview after ten years at home with my children today...this was a fantastic video for the occasion!

[@christianlady]

I love this. As a lawyer, I’m planning to take two years off but I’ll get back better

[@ncamisilengcongca]

Hello Christian lady 💕 how did it go?

[@christianlady]

@@ncamisilengcongca it really went well. There were down moments because I saw my colleagues making money while I depended mostly on my husband. However there were surprisingly great things happening to me because I built a better relationship with God and he took care of the rest . Now I’m starting my own business and having time for my God, family and is also a priority

[@ncamisilengcongca]

@@christianlady that’s so beautiful! I’m super glad to hear that! Starting your own business is also so amazing 💕 it means you’re in control of how you spend your time 🌸 I’d love to connect with you as I’m also contemplating getting into a lifestyle where I can put God as a center of all my priorities and my young family and I’m not sure how to then navigate that life 🌸

[@josephinewileswarner6549]

Very powerful. Thank you for a powerful speech. You need to give this speech on the US Senate.

[@jackiedelvalle]

Hmmm. Not a reality for MOST women though, is it. Really??? So, a recruiter is going to choose someone with a 10 year gap and experience of managing a family over someone who has been in the job that same amount of time building experience in the exact field they want? I'll tell you now, in 95% of cases they WON'T and in my view it's doing women a HUUUUGE disservice telling them otherwise. This woman is NOT representative. There ARE ways to juggle successfully, but for most, hers ain't it! 🤷🏾‍♀️

[@lovelyeeee3792]

One of my favorite Ted talks... When it came to my work life and being a Mom I thought my value decreased but after watching this Ted Talk I now know my value increased 10x more!!!!

[@michellestone1378]

Honestly, one of my FAVORITE TED talks of all time! Such an important message! Thank you!

[@marthaivester5460]

thank you so much Michelle!

[@dinaanguiano4349]

Thank you for composing a speech like this. Now I can market myself as a former stay-at-home mom in a positive light.

[@robinsiciliano9084]

How I needed to see this today! Thank you for being a guide for all of us who are interested in entering the workforce again. It’s reaffirming to hear from a successful businesswoman and fellow mother what I knew was true but did not have the validation to own or voice until now. Powerful.

[@shivermetimber6738]

I’m going back to work after 14 years! It’s scary but so exciting! Great talk thank you 😊

[@shayonacollins3533]

Did you ever find work? In the same boat

[@shivermetimber6738]

@@shayonacollins3533 yes! 6 months ago, best thing i ever did, you can do this! 🙌🏻

[@shayonacollins3533]

@@shivermetimber6738 May I ask what kind of job did you get and what steps did you take to get there?

[@shivermetimber6738]

@@shayonacollins3533 admin, I took a short course to update my skills but it was really a confidence boost because I realised I knew more and was more capable than I was giving myself credit for, I was still intimidated going back into the workforce but the course helped a lot.

[@shayonacollins3533]

@@shivermetimber6738 Thank you for this. I have certificate in Administration also but still on disability

[@Henhen1227]

Love hearing your voice and wisdom again.

[@tobylincolnwong5823]

Martha, you rock! Thanks for saying all that you did. Great role model for your daughters, son and the SAHM who want to return to make a difference.

[@ernest3116]

This!!! Thank you so much Martha, for putting a loud voice to my thoughts and fears. So powerful!!

[@tashahansen3480]

Martha 🥰 I still love this one. I watch it from time to time, and today I shared it with a group of Moms on facebook. You inspire me so much with these thoughts and pep talk in your Ted talk. Miss you, and hope to see you again, when the world is safer from corona 🌟❤️

[@marthaivester1515]

Thanks so much Tasha and I'm so glad it still resonates! And yes hope to see you again soon:)

[@RealKoreanLanguage]

Thank you, Martha. Your TED talk video is the most inspiring video I've ever watched.

[@antoniyayotsova5473]

Thank you for that talk! You are really making an impact ♥️

[@marinrealtor]

Great job, Martha!!!

[@momofmany9954]

I'm entering my 10th year being home. My husband and I have 4 Daughter's, our youngest is about to turn 2. I'm trying to Cherish this time because I have every intention to return to work. And yes we could all use a few more mom's on our team!🙌

[@brucetenhave6952]

awesome! Your kids may not voice it - ever - but you giving them that time is extremely precious! Don't underrate the love that you and your husband give your four daughters!

[@jillmcbain88]

I am a working mom and hate it. I wish I could be a stay at home mom.

[@maryj7423]

Moms are badass in ways that defy description.

[@crandallabenson8115]

Way to go, Martha.

[@lynnekraselsky8552]

Well done, Martha. A role model and rock star through and through!

[@marthaivester1515]

I learned from the best Lynne!

[@gloriaamparoherreragarces7451]

I am on the way to look for job right now after 10 years being out of the market ( I am mom of two), even with a BD in computer science I feel really uncomfortable looking for job and my English is my second language.. Thank you for this video, I really needed to listen something like this.

[@sumiwilson1305]

Very inspiring speech. Thank you!

[@user-pm2vk4bn2r]

Great motivating speech .. clapping all the way

[@JuliaColeMusic]

You're AMAZING!!!

[@mishakhooks]

Very inspirational!

[@doraballa9740]

Its great to see that there are companies like Google. Unfortunately based on my experiences many other big multinational companies from other industries prefer single, 0-24h working managers (of course they dont highlight it in the employer branding)

[@ir7862]

Wow! Thank you for sharing that was inspiring. I couldn’t quite find the words to say interpreting the skills I’ve learnt as a mum. 😊❤

[@dearestalma6344]

Having a 10year career break is very challenging for me. Mix emotions and sometimes I ended up crying. I do not know how will I start again while taking care of my kid.

[@femiadepoju]

Great job!

[@rafunzellebantigue36]

This is very inspiring, thank you.

[@aw3752]

Nobody tells you that no one will hire a stay at home parent after a 10-18 year work gap. Her story is one in a million. That’s not reality for everyone else. Especially men who were stay at home parents.

[@fredcruegger9734]

absolutely. a marvelous idea. because you are amazing.

[@up-sidedown5830]

Here a scientist and having a break from career to be mother.. this words recomforts!

[@jackiedelvalle]

Hers is a VERY specific situation that DOESN'T translate to most women's lives, sadly (clue: if it did, she wouldn't be here giving this speech, trying to convince people otherwise).

[@up-sidedown5830]

@@jackiedelvalle yeah, she seems was able to return to her professional career pretty well.

[@creativecornerbymommy8454]

such amazing and emotional video !!

[@bermetkamchybekkyzy8323]

Beautiful

[@themagicplatter]

you seem to have a good boss too who could understand , empathize your situation and support you.. lot of male bosses do not show those skills set and look down upon women .. this is my observation in developing country

[@rebeccahutchings1520]

Music and family

[@li9366]

Brilliant

[@karladiaz2770]

11:14 Behaviours that lead managerial success at Google

[@jazzdeeva6615]

Loved your speech!🙌

[@luxelindz3881]

Brilliant! Such an inspiring speech!

[@merrynafnaf]

Great Talk

[@KEERTHANAMUSICWORLD]

very nice....motivating....thanku so much!!!!

[@tashahansen3480]

One of the most inspiring poeple I can think of. I always enjoy listening to Martha telling stories and making awareness. True inspiration for me 😊

[@guloguloguy]

......Good talk!.... (IMHO: though, I'm not a "fan" of "Bill Gates", nor "Google"...)

[@ncamisilengcongca]

Me toooo 😂

[@peiyuanli6820]

I am a stay at home mom. I want to go back to work. But that’s really harder than I thought. I sent more than 100 applications for a job, but no response. I don’t know how long will it takes. But I will keep trying. I must have a job, my family need me.

[@peiyuanli6820]

Jiani Latrece thanks for your reply. But What is “ATS” mean? I will ask my brother to help me make my resume better. Thanks for your advice.

[@peiyuanli6820]

Jiani Latrece thank you so much. Your reply is really help me a lot.

[@msch7620]

Peiyuan Li Did you find a job?

[@Graciefrohst]

Awwwwwww

[@yushikuang7877]

Be a SAHM for a period of life it’s what i call a sacrifice for professionnel woman. But do not confuse with women who think a mother is meant to be SAHM. That’s kill me. As dr. phil said, if it’s a joint decision between you and your husband and if you can afford it...good for you. How many time i see women surprise by a divorce and left behind with almost nothing. This is not Pride and Prejudice period. Women have to build their own identity and it include be able to work to earn her bread and make a living for her kids. I believe the real equity in a couple if each of them contribute on housework and each of them have to build a career to contribute to the family finance.

[@sparshaprabhakar7710]

I have already been trying to get back to work since 2 years ...but in vain It's now become total of 8 years🥺

[@susanmajek]

Don't be deceived by her speech. If you're a minority, they only want you back for tech positions...

[@BM-mh1ub]

What domain are you looking to get back to work in Sparsha?

[@ShadaeMastersAstrology]

@@susanmajek Do you mind further explaining your stance regarding minorities returning and tech?

[@susanmajek]

@@ShadaeMastersAstrology It's not my stance. It's the reality of what's out there. Visit the "return to work" websites and see what they're recruiting for, make the comparison between the number of tech and non-tech roles & you will quickly see what I'm saying. Aside from that, go to any major company & view the races of most those in marketing, sales, finance, H.R. etc vs. those in I.T. & again reality will dawn...

[@susanmajek]

Must be nice. Model minority=Middle class, white female, married, comfortable life best case scenario. Challenged, but doable. She just got into CAA, got a call from Google. Oh my. Must be nice. Let's try another equation with a minority woman who decides to take time off. Single or has a husband who makes less. Will this scenario be the same. NO! But we should listen and dream this will be everyone's reality. Really?

[@brucetenhave6952]

I think she was simply talking about the qualities that mums acquire from taking the time with their kids.

[@brucetenhave6952]

@Rikki Jo Why screw the women who 'worked very hard to get where they are'? SAHM shouldn't lose their qualifications because of the gap in their resumes, and they would've worked hard as a SAHM! Depending on how many kids they had and those kids' needs but being a mum or dad can be very hard and trying!

[@dianewiegel7136]

Yes, time to put a woman in charge

[@yottiechick]

Business owners have a very different perspective to employees when it comes to roles and suitabilities in their workforce. When I ran my business, I learned very quickly that the worst employees, for a myriad of reasons, were women; regardless of their age or their claimed life experience (which is just sales talk at interview) and especially bad were those who were mothers !! The very best staff that I ever had were former military men. I just couldn't hang on to them though as they all had wanderlust and a need to keep moving. They would come back and they would stay again until the need to wander off overwhelmed them again. Each time they returned there was a role waiting for them and I would just let them all come and go and come back repeatedly - they were that good ! Good at anything - ANYTHING ! Uncomplaining, fast learning, efficient, strong leaders, hard working and very productive. The women, on the other hand, were the complete opposite and I got rid of all of them.

[@jaydee6268]

Sounds like a you problem to me.

[@guloguloguy]

.....Unfortunately, I hear "latent "feminism" whining in the background)...

[@vacaspen5038]

stop is scapegoating

[@robertwarner1160]

single mothers are a biblical plague! - Jesus

[@brucetenhave6952]

@@robertwarner1160 I don't recall that, what verse? I would like to see for myself of where it is and what surrounds it.

[@brucetenhave6952]

@Rikki Jo of course you don't hire someone solely because they were a SAHM

[@rochellesoto3547]

The industrious pike extracellularly disagree because zinc realistically admit per a handy alley. confused, conscious promotion

[@sandigraves1093]

This is just what I needed to hear! Thank you for your insight!