Before the boardroom, there was mum: Malta’s business leaders reflect on timeless wisdom

While leadership can be taught, some of the most lasting lessons come from childhood – especially from the quiet resilience and wisdom of mothers.

As we celebrate Mother’s Day, several business leaders in Malta shared with MaltaCEOs.mt the advice their mothers gave them that continues to guide how they show up in business and in life.

For Charmaine Mangion, Founder and CEO of Magic Castle Waldorf Childcares, her mother’s emphasis on authenticity and generosity had a profound impact. She recalls being told: “Be genuine. Treat everyone with equal respect. And never see others’ success as a threat; instead let it inspire you.”

In a field where comparison and hierarchy can dominate, this advice served as a grounding force. It reminded her that respect should not be based on title or rank, but extended to all – creating a culture where people feel seen, heard, and valued.

Just as influential was her mother’s insistence on celebrating others. “She taught me that success is not a finite resource,” Ms Mangion explains. “When you learn to take joy in someone else’s achievements, it opens you up to your own growth.” That mindset of quiet confidence and generosity remains central to her leadership approach.

Paul Grech, Head of Investments at GO Ventures and a startups mentor, credits his mother with instilling a strong sense of humility. “One piece of advice my mother gave me that has stayed with me is: ‘No matter where life takes you, never forget where you came from.’” In a world that often rewards fast ambition, those words keep him grounded.

Despite his professional success, he is mindful of his upbringing in a typical blue-collar Maltese family. That background, he says, reminds him to treat people with respect and to carry his values with him, no matter his role.

Gordon Cordina, Chairman of Bank of Valletta, remembers his late mother as a calming force of reason and pragmatism. Her advice was to “dream, but keep your feet firmly on the ground. Hope for the best but be prepared for the worst.”

He fondly notes that she would have made an excellent risk manager – always level-headed in a world that’s only become more complex.

For Lara Camilleri, COO at Expedition42, the most enduring lesson was about perseverance. Her mother once told her: “You swam the sea – don’t sink in the harbour.” Though it resonated at the time, Ms Camilleri admits that only now does she truly understand the depth of that message.

It was her mother’s way of showing how important it is to stay committed, to keep pushing forward even when things get hard, and to always get back up after a setback.

Meanwhile, Marthese Portelli, CEO of The Malta Chamber, was raised by a mother who lived and breathed entrepreneurial thinking. Her advice was always practical: “Plan your work. Work your Plan.” It was a mantra that instilled planning, organisation, and resilience. “Not everything will work according to plan,” Dr Portelli says, “but imagine having no plan at all.”

From her mother, she also learned the importance of adaptability. When faced with challenges, she was taught never to give up, but rather to change perspective: “Do not throw in the towel, think differently and look at things from different perspectives.”

For Alan Borg, Chief Executive Officer at Malta International Airport, one guiding principle from his mother continues to shape how he leads today: “Always remember that every decision you make impacts every person around you.”

Having grown up with a working mother, Mr Borg, says he was exposed early on to the discipline and selflessness required to juggle a career and family life. Watching her manage both taught him the true meaning of hard work and accountability – lessons that stuck with him long after childhood.

“My mother taught me that leadership isn’t just about strategy or outcomes – it’s about people,” he explains. Whether he’s thinking of airport guests or team members, he keeps her values at the core of his leadership. “I strive to make decisions that honour their needs and expectations, and so my mother’s example lives on at the heart of the choices I make.”

For Glenn Debattista, COO at BetStarters, leadership starts with integrity – even when no one is watching. “My mum always told me, ‘Treat people the way you’d want them to treat you, even when no one’s watching.’” That principle, he says, has fundamentally shaped the way he leads.

“The way you treat your team and partners is one of the most important things,” he adds, underscoring the value of respect and consistency in both personal and professional interactions.

David Sciberras, CEO of Invent 3D Ltd, recalls the moment his mother’s words put everything into perspective: “Work hard, but your first priority should always be the wellbeing of your family. Kids grow up fast!”

That advice came during the early days of the company, when he and his team were grinding through long nights in a small office beneath their flat. “Working long nights and weekends, struggling to make ends meet, and next thing you know, you’ve missed the first few years of your kid’s life,” he reflects. It was a wake-up call that led him to shift his priorities and become a more present parent. As he puts it: “Mother knows best.”

As these reflections show, the wisdom passed down from mothers often becomes the quiet force behind confident decisions, compassionate leadership, and enduring values. This Mother’s Day, their words serve as a reminder that strong leadership often begins with the simplest, most heartfelt lessons taught at home.