This chapter describes how the eight participants and I often referenced stories of early life experiences and families, particularly the influence of mothers, when discussing leadership journeys. I ground this discussion in feminist scholarship on identity, embodiment, appearing/disappearing, and performance. I review research and scholarship concerning the influence of families and friends on leadership identity development, and how these influences change over the course of a leadership life. I also explore how the matriarchal connection seemed more powerful for the women of color, particularly the Native American participant who grew up in matrilineal, Navajo culture and discussed at length how her background affected her leadership identity development. In keeping with the focus on female leaders, I use feminist theory to interrogate how women leaders, including my participants, ‘perform’ as leaders and present their leader bodies. I end the chapter with a discussion of how the lives of honeybees can be enlightening to those being or becoming leaders, as bees work as a family with a singular goal. The queen bee is the mother to all in the hive as well as the leader, and she must make hard decisions to ensure the continuance of the hive after her demise.