Why Mary Poppins is the Unsung Icon of Business Management and Feminism

Let’s talk about Mary Poppins.

Yes, that Mary Poppins—the umbrella-wielding, no-nonsense nanny who floated into our lives with a song, a suitcase and a load of Chimney Sweeps.

There is no one out there who does not know about her, and deep down dreamed to find someone in their life who could be practically perfect in every way.

Thing is, everyone has sung the praises of the Nanny that teaches parents how to behave like parents, children how to grow up, and takes you to a world of fantasy to explain the inexplicable. But Mary Poppins is not just a teacher, a childhood icon that represent delegation at its finest: she’s a masterclass in business management, an organizational genius, and a feminist leader wrapped in a Victorian coat.

If you’re looking for a role model to navigate today’s chaos, Mary might just be it.

The OG of Organization

Picture this: Mary Poppins steps into the Banks household—a mess of scattered toys, frazzled parents, and kids running wild. Within hours, she’s got it all under control. Toys tidied, schedules set, and everyone marching to a new rhythm. Sound familiar?

That’s the dream of every business owner staring down a cluttered inbox or a team spinning in circles. Mary doesn’t just organize—she transforms chaos into order with precision and flair. She creates structure and sings everyone in line into following the new rhythm, with a spoonful of sugar and a sly smile. She is the OG Business Manager, the patron saint of "done."

Leadership with Heart and Authority

Mary doesn’t mess around. She’s firm when she needs to be—think “spit-spot” deadlines—but she leads with empathy, not tyranny. She knows Jane and Michael aren’t just tasks to check off; they’re humans who need guidance. Swap the nursery for a boardroom, and you’ve got a leader who balances accountability with inspiration, clarifies everyone’s roles and delegates part of her job to fantastical characters she “finds” along the way.

Mary’s approach feels like an adventure where you get taken for the ride, all while you get yourself in the right place to solve your own problems, with flair and a smile. Fancy that!

Feminism in Flight

Let’s not forget—Mary Poppins was soaring above London in 1934, long before “glass ceiling” was a phrase. She’s independent, unflappable, and answers to no one but herself. In a male-dominated Edwardian era, she doesn’t wait for permission—she takes charge, umbrella in hand, and rewrites the rules. That’s feminist leadership at its finest: owning your power, lifting others up (sometimes literally), and doing it all with unapologetic style.

Today’s women in business could do worse than channeling a little Poppins energy! And should.

A Spoonful of Strategy

Sure, she’s got magic—but it’s her strategy that seals the deal. Mary doesn’t just fix problems; she sees the bigger picture. Whether it’s teaching the Banks family to find joy in the grind or nudging Mr. Banks toward work-life balance, she’s playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers.

Business leaders take note: a dash of creativity and a clear vision can turn the mundane into the extraordinary.

Not only that, but Mary is challenging, unrelentless and knows she is not beneath Mr. and Mrs. Banks: being the Nanny does not stop her showing them how to run their own household. All good qualities for an Online or Fractional Business Manager.

So, next time you’re drowning in deadlines or rallying your team, ask yourself: What would Mary Poppins do?

She’d probably tell you to straighten your tie, grab your umbrella, and tackle it all—one perfectly practical step at a time.