Making career and family work: In dialogue with working mothers at Quoniam
What does it mean today to bear professional responsibility and at the same time shape family responsibilities? To mark International Women’s Day, working mothers at Quoniam came together for an open discussion to reflect on their experiences, challenges, and the perspectives that motherhood brings to professional life.
Key takeaways
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Responsibility creates clarity: Multidimensional responsibility strengthens prioritisation, focus and decision-making.
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Flexibility enables performance: Modern working models support productivity – built on trust and outcome orientation.
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Diversity enhances quality: Different perspectives improve decision-making and innovation.
Responsibility on multiple levels
Participants described their day-to-day reality as demanding yet meaningful — shaped by organisation, flexibility, and a strong sense of responsibility. Balancing career and family requires structure, prioritisation, and clear communication.
At the same time, the discussion highlighted that this dual role is not only challenging, but also formative. It sharpens focus on what truly matters — both personally and professionally.
Efficiency, focus and decisiveness
Many of the mothers shared that their approach to work has evolved through family life. Time is used more consciously, priorities are set more clearly, and meetings tend to be more focused and outcome-driven.
“We work in a highly focused way — because we have learned to set clear priorities”, one participant summarised.
This ability to structure, act pragmatically, and make decisions efficiently is a competence that directly benefits teams and projects.
Efficiency, resilience, empathy, and a strong sense of responsibility are qualities shaped in family life — and equally essential in a professional environment.
Lisa Burkhardt, D&I Officer
Flexibility as a success factor in modern work environments
A central theme of the discussion was the importance of flexible working models. Hybrid work arrangements enable employees to align professional responsibilities with family needs in a sustainable way. This is not about special arrangements, but about modern frameworks that support performance and productivity.
Equally important is a culture built on trust. Transparent communication, mutual understanding, and a focus on outcomes rather than physical presence form the foundation of successful collaboration.
Diversity as a forward-looking perspective
The exchange also underscored the value of diverse life experiences within organisations. Different perspectives strengthen decision-making, team dynamics, and innovation — particularly in an industry that continues to evolve.
One shared aspiration from the discussion: work-life balance should not be seen as a niche topic, but as a natural element of a modern working culture — for mothers, fathers, and all employees alike.
A reflection for the International Women’s Day
The conversation made one thing clear: motherhood and professional ambition are not mutually exclusive. On the contrary, they can reinforce one another. Efficiency, resilience, empathy, and a strong sense of responsibility are qualities shaped in family life — and equally essential in a professional environment.
On International Women’s Day, Quoniam reaffirms its commitment to dialogue, openness, and the continuous development of a workplace culture that recognises and values different life paths as a source of strength.
