Explore every episode of the podcast Big Careers, Small Children
Dive into the complete episode list for Big Careers, Small Children . Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.
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Title
Pub. Date
Duration
Ferzana Bham & Bethany Pearson - How to Self-Promote at Work & Build Relationships
05 Sep 2024
00:49:07
How can you self promote at work and invest time in building relationships as a busy working parent?
Today on the podcast Verena Hefti MBE welcomes Ferzana Bham & Bethany Pearson from PR Mums.
PR Mums is a community-led platform which offers former PRs (many of whom have left the workforce after having children) a pathway back into the industry.
Ferzana and Bethany share their expert advice and practical tips on self promotion, including how to forge relationships when you're time poor and effectively promote your achievements whatever your industry, especially when it might not come naturally to you.
We hope you enjoy the conversation.
PR Mums are working to establish an industry-wide model of best practice for parental policy – for the benefit of all current and future mothers and fathers; our children; and our parents.
Nathalie Holdstock - How to Thrive as a Shift Worker When You're a Parent of Young Children
25 Jul 2024
00:39:59
Shift work can be especially challenging when you're a parent to young children.
This week on the podcast our Leaders Plus Fellow Nathalie Holdstock, a Senior Sister and Emergency Nurse Practitioner, shares how she navigates working shifts in the NHS whilst raising two small children.
Nathalie shares practical tips for other shift workers, including why it's important to ask for what you need and what others who don't work shifts can learn from the experience.
We hope you enjoy the conversation.
The Leaders Plus podcast will now be on a short break over the summer holidays returning on Thursday 5th September.
[Future of Work] Denise Wilson OBE - How the UK is Working to Achieve Gender Balance at Board Level & What Still Needs to Change
16 May 2024
00:45:29
We're delighted to welcome Denise Wilson OBE to the podcast.
Denise is the former chief executive of the FTSE Women Leaders Review and has led the UK’s business task force to increase the number of women on boards and in leadership positions.
She has made a significant contribution to gender equality in British business and is passionate about empowering women.
We discuss:
How the UK made such massive strides in closing the gender gap at board level
What still needs to change for gender equality
How to get to an Exec Director position
Why as a parent everything doesn’t need to be perfect but “good enough”
We hope you enjoy the conversation.
This episode is part of the future of work series, where we explore how work will change in the future to help everyone thrive and progress their careers equitably regardless of circumstances.
Christian has spent years exploring the connection between chance encounters and new professional opportunities and has fantastic insights on how we can all leverage luck to our advantage.
There were so many lightbulb moments during the discussion and plenty of practical tips we can all act on to improve our lives, both personally and professionally.
We discuss:
What exactly is serendipity and how to cultivate more of it in our lives
How to build a muscle so we can be better prepared for the unexpected
How to address self-limiting beliefs
How we can leverage the superpower of extroverts to our advantage
Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children?
Each month we send out a helpful round-up email featuring useful info and brave new ideas for ambitious mums and dads. Sign up now.
Applications are now open for our NHS Fellowship
Our FMLM accredited NHS Fellowship is a career development programme for working parents in the NHS who want to lead positive change. Apply by 11/07. Find out more.
Nadia Bunyan - How to Progress Your Career Internally, Choose Your Employer Wisely & Balance International Travel Whilst Raising a Family
07 Sep 2022
00:37:06
How can you secure an internal promotion without working all hours and putting your hand up for every task?
Our guest today is Nadia Bunyan, HR Director at Global Witness, an international NGO that works to break the links between natural resource exploitation, conflict, poverty, corruption, and human rights abuses worldwide.
Nadia shares fantastic advice on progressing your career internally, including the three things any parent who is trying to be promoted within their organisation can do today. The conversation also includes:
How to ensure you choose your employer wisely
Tips on changing sectors, particularly when looking for something family-friendly
Guilt and setting boundaries
Balancing international travel when you are a working parent
Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children?
Each month we send out a helpful round-up email featuring useful info and brave new ideas for ambitious mums and dads. Sign up now.
Applications are now open for our NHS Fellowship
Our FMLM accredited NHS Fellowship is a career development programme for working parents in the NHS who want to lead positive change. Apply by 11/07. Find out more.
Compilation Episode - Letting Go of Working Parent Guilt
31 Aug 2022
00:22:44
Many listeners have told us that guilt is a challenge you're struggling with, particularly working parent guilt.
This week on Big Careers, Small Children we are revisiting some of the best tips shared by our previous guests around guilt and learning to let it go.
Featured: Wendy Merricks, CEO Jumar (Series 6, Episode 91) Michelle Mitchell OBE, CEO Cancer Research UK (Series 4, Episode 52) Laura Harrison, Co-founder Human Change Agency (Series 2, Episode 15) Lucy Duszczak, Senior Online Sales & Digital Manager, YHA & Dr. Suhana Ahmed, Consultant Psychiatrist, NHS (Series 3, Episode 46) Amy Gibbs, Former CEO Birthrights (Series 6, Episode 83) Dr. Heejung Chung, Professor of Sociology and Social Policy at the University of Kent (Series 5, Episode 78)
Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children?
Each month we send out a helpful round-up email featuring useful info and brave new ideas for ambitious mums and dads. Sign up now.
Applications are now open for our NHS Fellowship
Our FMLM accredited NHS Fellowship is a career development programme for working parents in the NHS who want to lead positive change. Apply by 11/07. Find out more.
Kami Norland - How to Lead With Compassion, Build Trust & Create Compassionate Organisations
24 Aug 2022
00:34:24
What does it mean to be a compassionate leader and how can it benefit organisations?
Kami Norland is a national and international speaker, facilitator and CEO of Integrative Re-Sources.
In this episode, we chat about compassionate leadership and how it’s not only possible but essential to create compassionate organisations.
Kami reminds us that we aren't just an employee but an individual bringing our whole selves to work. She shares her expert advice on:
What it means to be a compassionate leader
Why you should dial back productivity
How to radically increase your attention span
The best way to build trust with the people you lead
Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children?
Each month we send out a helpful round-up email featuring useful info and brave new ideas for ambitious mums and dads. Sign up now.
Applications are now open for our NHS Fellowship
Our FMLM accredited NHS Fellowship is a career development programme for working parents in the NHS who want to lead positive change. Apply by 11/07. Find out more.
Karen Squires - From Hairdresser to A&E Consultant: Progressing a Career in Emergency Medicine Whilst Raising a Young Family
17 Aug 2022
00:39:23
Ever felt like you're not living up to your full potential and wished you could change your career?
Karen Squires is an A&E Consultant at the Aintree University Hospital in Liverpool, but her career actually started in hairdressing.
After re-evaluating her life in her mid-20s and feeling that she wasn't reaching her true potential, Karen made the brave decision to take a leap and pursue a career in medicine.
In this chat with Verena Hefti MBE, Karen shares how she trusted her gut instinct to follow her career dreams. Together they explore why our careers don't always need to go from A to B and how the meandering path can still move you closer to your goals.
Karen also shares her experience of being an older mother alongside progressing in her career. Including her diagnosis of secondary infertility and the multiple rounds of IVF, she and her partner endured before having their much longed-for second daughter.
Working in emergency medicine is a pressurised environment. Karen has fantastic advice for dealing with this whilst still being a present parent.
Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children?
Each month we send out a helpful round-up email featuring useful info and brave new ideas for ambitious mums and dads. Sign up now.
Applications are now open for our NHS Fellowship
Our FMLM accredited NHS Fellowship is a career development programme for working parents in the NHS who want to lead positive change. Apply by 11/07. Find out more.
Compilation Episode: The Best Tips for Working Couples
10 Aug 2022
00:26:53
Not everyone is in a relationship but those that are can spend a considerable amount of time trying to negotiate two big careers alongside raising young children and the commitments this entails.
This week on Big Careers, Small Children we are revisiting some of the best advice previous guests have shared around making dual career couples work.
Featured: Nick Wilkie, Former CEO of the NCT (Series 1, Episode 5) Dr. Jennifer Petriglieri, Associate Professor of Organisational Behaviour INSEAD (Series 2, Episode 16) Ruth and Colin Stuart, Dual Career Couple (Series 2, Episode 15)
If you are in a dual career couple you may benefit from our upcoming panel discussion where you will hear from other successful and ambitious couples discussing their thoughts on balancing parenting with two demanding careers in one household.
Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children?
Each month we send out a helpful round-up email featuring useful info and brave new ideas for ambitious mums and dads. Sign up now.
Applications are now open for our NHS Fellowship
Our FMLM accredited NHS Fellowship is a career development programme for working parents in the NHS who want to lead positive change. Apply by 11/07. Find out more.
Alice Kan - Directing the AstraZeneca Covid Vaccine Roll Out Whilst Balancing Family Commitments
03 Aug 2022
00:39:35
Today's guest knows a thing or two about working under huge pressure after being headhunted by Wockhardt UK to direct the development of the manufacturing process and facility to produce the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine.
Alice Kan is the Pharmaceutical Director at Kan Do Ventures and one of the UK's Top 50 Women in Engineering. In this episode, Alice shares what she has learned from managing the vaccine roll out whilst balancing her family commitments, including raising two teenage children.
A "recovering perfectionist" Alice cares deeply about working hard, having purpose and making a difference. She speaks passionately about setting boundaries and making choices that work for your family whilst progressing your career.
We discuss:
Finding a job with purpose
Challenging sexism, racism and misogyny in the workplace
Setting boundaries
Recovering from perfectionism and why good enough is okay
Identifying when you're in flow and finding happiness
Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children?
Each month we send out a helpful round-up email featuring useful info and brave new ideas for ambitious mums and dads. Sign up now.
Applications are now open for our NHS Fellowship
Our FMLM accredited NHS Fellowship is a career development programme for working parents in the NHS who want to lead positive change. Apply by 11/07. Find out more.
Wendy Merricks - How to Work Full Time When You're a Parent & Not Feel Guilty, Why Small Steps Can Get You to the Big Positions & How to Have Self Belief When Under Pressure
20 Jul 2022
00:47:21
"Children are not going to come to any harm because you work full time," says our guest today Wendy Merricks.
Wendy is the CEO and Founder of Jumar, a group of companies in the IT sector and a Senior Leader Mentor on the Leaders Plus Fellowship Programme.
Growing up in inner-city Birmingham in a working-class family, Wendy has worked hard to get to the most senior positions, always believing that she was capable of anything she put her mind to.
A mother of two boys (now in their 20s) born in quick succession, Wendy has always worked full-time whilst ensuring that when she is with the children, she is truly present.
She is a passionate advocate that having children should not be a career inhibitor and her company, Jumar, prides itself on looking out for employees and ensuring workers have a good work-life balance.
We discuss:
Why working full time will not harm your children
Practical tips if you're struggling with self-belief
Why setting goals and taking small steps can lead to big positive changes
IVF and why it's important to engage your employer and ask for support
Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children?
Each month we send out a helpful round-up email featuring useful info and brave new ideas for ambitious mums and dads. Sign up now.
Applications are now open for our NHS Fellowship
Our FMLM accredited NHS Fellowship is a career development programme for working parents in the NHS who want to lead positive change. Apply by 11/07. Find out more.
Guy Duncan Neale - How to Have a Big Career, Be Present With Your Kids & Work Regular Hours
13 Jul 2022
00:33:33
Can you work as a senior leader in a fast-paced industry like banking and set boundaries around your working hours? Our guest today is proof you can.
Guy Duncan Neale is Head of Global Internal Audit Transformation at HSBC and leads a team of international senior internal auditors within the bank.
Following a cancer diagnosis, Guy reflected on the priorities in his life and decided he would limit his working hours to ensure he could be present with his family.
He is a real change-maker and is vocal about the fact that whilst pursuing his big career he remains disciplined with his working hours, something that is unusual in a sector known for very long working hours.
In this episode, Guy shares his tips for other working parents, including:
How to practically manage your set working hours
How to set boundaries at work
How to communicate with your line manager and team about your working hours
How to build trust in organisations
How to learn to be truly present with your kids
Why you can't do everything for everybody
Why having work email on your personal phone isn't recommended
Guy is also a senior leader Mentor on the Leaders Plus Fellowship and informs and advises many other working parents on combining a leadership career and family.
Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children?
Each month we send out a helpful round-up email featuring useful info and brave new ideas for ambitious mums and dads. Sign up now.
Applications are now open for our NHS Fellowship
Our FMLM accredited NHS Fellowship is a career development programme for working parents in the NHS who want to lead positive change. Apply by 11/07. Find out more.
Suzy Reading - Self Care for Busy Working Parents, How to Make Self Care a Daily Practice & Tips for Boosting Your Energy During Moments of Overwhelm
06 Jul 2022
00:38:15
Do you ever feel overwhelmed by your conflicting priorities?
Our guest today is Suzy Reading, a Chartered Psychologist, author and specialist in self care and well being.
Suzy knows the science behind well being and shares how, as busy working parents, we can look after ourselves when under pressure without feeling like it's something else we need to tick on our to-do list.
We discuss:
Why self care is actually health care
How to practically put yourself first (or at least make sure it's you as well!)
Why self care doesn't have to be like you see on Instagram
The importance of green gazing and what it does for your nervous system
3 simple things we can all do to help restore our energy levels when overwhelmed
Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children?
Each month we send out a helpful round-up email featuring useful info and brave new ideas for ambitious mums and dads. Sign up now.
Applications are now open for our NHS Fellowship
Our FMLM accredited NHS Fellowship is a career development programme for working parents in the NHS who want to lead positive change. Apply by 11/07. Find out more.
[Future of Work] Bruce Daisley - How to Reduce the Number of Meetings in Your Workplace & Change the Organisational Culture
09 May 2024
00:47:45
Would you like to reduce the number of meetings in your workplace?
Joining us this week is workplace culture enthusiast Bruce Daisley.
A former EMEA Vice President of Twitter, Bruce is now a best-selling author and hosts the podcast 'Eat, Sleep, Work, Repeat', alongside helping organisations build energised and connected workplace cultures.
In this episode, we discuss how you can positively change the workplace culture where you work.
We share practical tips on reducing the number of meetings in the diary, the super powers of productivity and a look at the future of work, particularly in relation to artificial intelligence (AI).
Enjoy this thought provoking conversation.
This episode is part of the future of work series, where we explore how work will change in the future to help everyone thrive and progress their careers equitably regardless of circumstances.
Dr. Christina Venzin - Coming Back From a Career Break, Progressing Your Career When Other People Tell You Not to & Why it's Okay to Change Your Priorities
29 Jun 2022
00:38:22
Do you ever worry about changing priorities during your career?
Our guest today is Dr. Christina Venzin, a Senior Doctor, Coach and Gender Equality Change Maker.
Christina makes no secret of the fact that when she first had children she thought her career would have to totally change. What she in fact discovered was that it's absolutely okay to evolve your priorities over time and come back to what you love.
The discussion includes:
Why it's absolutely okay to change priorities during your career
The process of outing yourself as loving your career and your children
Things learned from raising children that actually help in leadership
Why you should mention the things you’ve learned as a parent in a job interview
Using anger at the system and charged emotions to make a change
How to progress your career even if other people tell you not to
The 3 things Christina would advise her own daughter
Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children?
Each month we send out a helpful round-up email featuring useful info and brave new ideas for ambitious mums and dads. Sign up now.
Applications are now open for our NHS Fellowship
Our FMLM accredited NHS Fellowship is a career development programme for working parents in the NHS who want to lead positive change. Apply by 11/07. Find out more.
Welcome to Big Careers, Small Children
27 Jun 2022
00:01:42
Big Careers Small Children helps ambitious parents progress careers they love whilst being present with their children. Through honest and informal conversation, senior leaders divulge what they have learnt on their own journey of combining big careers with young children to our host Verena Hefti MBE. Expect lots of aha moments, inspiration, fresh ideas, and practical support, so you can move forward in your career in a way that works for you and your family.
Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children?
Each month we send out a helpful round-up email featuring useful info and brave new ideas for ambitious mums and dads. Sign up now.
Applications are now open for our NHS Fellowship
Our FMLM accredited NHS Fellowship is a career development programme for working parents in the NHS who want to lead positive change. Apply by 11/07. Find out more.
Laurie Weingart - Learn How to Say No, Why Saying No is Crucial for Promotion & Tips for Identifying Your Non-Promotable Tasks
The No Club has a fascinating back story. It began when Laurie and a group of friends came together disheartened by the fact they were working harder than ever but still trailed far behind their male colleagues.
Vowing to get their work lives under control they resolved to say no to requests that pulled them away from the work that mattered most to their careers - the non-promotable tasks.
Laurie shares her expert advice on how we can all make small, yet significant changes to our workload without stalling our careers or facing backlash for saying no. We discuss:
what the research says about saying no
why unrewarded work is more likely to fall to women
why saying no is actually crucial for promotion
the easy 3 step process for identifying your own non-promotable tasks
how you can learn to say no so you can do more of the work you love
Connect with Laurie and find out more about the No Club at www.thenoclub.com.
Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children?
Each month we send out a helpful round-up email featuring useful info and brave new ideas for ambitious mums and dads. Sign up now.
Applications are now open for our NHS Fellowship
Our FMLM accredited NHS Fellowship is a career development programme for working parents in the NHS who want to lead positive change. Apply by 11/07. Find out more.
Ian Dinwiddy - Supporting Dads to Make Brave Decisions, Removing Barriers Around Shared Parental Leave & Why Gender Equality at Home Influences Work
16 Jun 2022
00:41:24
'Dadvocate' Ian Dinwiddy is the founder of Inspiring Dads, a platform designed to help dads balance the complexities of modern life and fatherhood.
Management Consultant Ian and his partner Lisa (a lawyer) have made what some might view as bold decisions regarding their parenting setup. When their daughter Freya was born they took the decision that Ian would step back from his career to look after her and he has gone on to become the main carer for their two children.
We discuss:
How dads can be brave and go beyond social expectations
How to deal with the inevitable judgement from yourself and your peers when you challenge expectations
Gender equality at home and work and how they influence each other
What organisations can do support dads to take shared parental leave and how to remove barriers
What men really talk about and why most men are more supportive of change than you might think
Why when you connect men together to share stories and experiences it's incredibly powerful
The one thing every dad can do to move closer to the work/home setup they'd really like
The huge pressure faced by dads who are the main breadwinner but who also want to be present parents
This was such a powerful and valuable conversation and we hope you enjoy it.
Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children?
Each month we send out a helpful round-up email featuring useful info and brave new ideas for ambitious mums and dads. Sign up now.
Applications are now open for our NHS Fellowship
Our FMLM accredited NHS Fellowship is a career development programme for working parents in the NHS who want to lead positive change. Apply by 11/07. Find out more.
Steph Douglas - Growing a Successful Business as a Parent, Challenging Expectations, Safe Guarding Time to Think and Equality at Home
08 Jun 2022
00:49:42
Steph Douglas is the inspirational Founder and CEO of the gifting company Don't Buy Her Flowers.
Steph launched her business in 2014 after having her first baby and being inundated with bouquets. She joins Verena to talk candidly about growing a successful business, raising her family and challenging expectations, including at home.
The conversation includes:
Why and how to ensure you safeguard time to think when growing your business
How parenthood can benefit you in business
'Feminine' business traits and why they are essential skills
Why it's critical our children witness their parents sharing the load
Challenging societal pressures around female CEOs and driving for equality at home
Why you don't need to run your business like The Apprentice or Dragon's Den
We end with three tips for anyone thinking about starting their own business.
Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children?
Each month we send out a helpful round-up email featuring useful info and brave new ideas for ambitious mums and dads. Sign up now.
Applications are now open for our NHS Fellowship
Our FMLM accredited NHS Fellowship is a career development programme for working parents in the NHS who want to lead positive change. Apply by 11/07. Find out more.
Lauren Seager-Smith FRSA - Practical Tips to Help With Bullying, the Dual Challenge of Caring for Kids & Older Parents & Why We All Need Circles of Support
25 May 2022
00:37:20
Our guest today is Lauren Seager-Smith FRSA, CEO of the bullying prevention charity Kidscape and a Mentor on the Leaders Plus Fellowship Programme.
Lauren is one of a small but growing number of CEOs with younger children and she shares her experience of working in a senior position whilst juggling the reality of small kids.
She has many years of experience providing expertise and guidance relating to all forms of bullying and in this episode she shares practical advice for dealing with bullying both in the workplace and at home with our children.
We also talk about looking after yourself in times of extreme intensity, something Lauren has experienced when her parents both suffered mental health breakdowns not long after she gave birth to her second child.
Our conversation includes:
How to know when you're being bullied
Where you can go for support for yourself and your children
Why we all would benefit from a wider circle of support and how to find it
The challenges of being the 'sandwich generation' caring for children and parents
Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children?
Each month we send out a helpful round-up email featuring useful info and brave new ideas for ambitious mums and dads. Sign up now.
Applications are now open for our NHS Fellowship
Our FMLM accredited NHS Fellowship is a career development programme for working parents in the NHS who want to lead positive change. Apply by 11/07. Find out more.
Amy Gibbs - Becoming a CEO, Working 4 Days a Week, Setting Boundaries & Prioritising Self Care
18 May 2022
00:51:44
Joining us today is Leaders Plus Fellow Amy Gibbs. Amy is CEO of Birthrights, a powerful charity championing human rights in childbirth.
Working part-time in a senior role is (sadly) still an exception and not the norm and Amy describes her journey to becoming a CEO and taking the top position, including how she makes her role work 4 days a week.
Amy also shares her wonderfully honest reflections on setting boundaries, work-life balance and why it's essential we all prioritise a little more self-care. Rest snacks are just one way to do this, she explains how.
Plus the conversation covers:
How to become a CEO and the skills needed
Working flexibly in a senior role
Why having half days off never works
Getting over the idea that we have to work and be present all the time
Setting effective boundaries that work for you
Burn out and reaching out if you're struggling
Why we all need to take more rest snacks
3 practical tips for moving to 4 days a week
Honesty always makes for the best conversations so we really hope you enjoy our frank discussion.
Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children?
Each month we send out a helpful round-up email featuring useful info and brave new ideas for ambitious mums and dads. Sign up now.
Applications are now open for our NHS Fellowship
Our FMLM accredited NHS Fellowship is a career development programme for working parents in the NHS who want to lead positive change. Apply by 11/07. Find out more.
Carlotta Negri di Sanfront: Being Present With Your Kids When You Have a High Profile Career & Figuring Out When it is the Right Time to Have a Baby
11 May 2022
00:46:58
Our guest today is Carlotta Negri di Sanfront, Chief Product and Design Officer for giffgaff, the mobile network run by its members.
Carlotta is wonderfully honest about her experience of starting a family at the peak of her career and talks openly about deciding to go for the role of Chief Product and Design Officer whilst 8 months pregnant.
Our discussion includes:
When is the right time to have a baby if you're progressing your career
Returning to work to a new senior position
Juggling the mental load
Being present with your children when you're a senior leader
The realities of having a premature baby (and less time to plan!)
You can connect with Carlotta on LinkedIn. We hope you enjoy our conversation.
Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children?
Each month we send out a helpful round-up email featuring useful info and brave new ideas for ambitious mums and dads. Sign up now.
Applications are now open for our NHS Fellowship
Our FMLM accredited NHS Fellowship is a career development programme for working parents in the NHS who want to lead positive change. Apply by 11/07. Find out more.
Mary Ann Sieghart - Why Women Are Still Taken Less Seriously Than Men & What to do About It
04 May 2022
00:45:53
Welcome to series 6 of the Big Careers, Small Children (formerly Leaders With Babies) podcast.
Our guest today is Mary Ann Sieghart. Mary is a former The Times Senior Editor and more recently the author of a really intriguing book, The Authority Gap, which analyses why women are taken less seriously than men and what we can do about it.
The discussion includes:
Why is that men and women can say the exact same thing yet it's perceived differently?
A look at the latest evidence and research around authority and gender
What can we all do to deal with this authority gap in day-to-day life
How can we change things for future generations
Mary Ann's book The Authority Gap is available via her website maryannsieghart.com.
Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children?
Each month we send out a helpful round-up email featuring useful info and brave new ideas for ambitious mums and dads. Sign up now.
Applications are now open for our NHS Fellowship
Our FMLM accredited NHS Fellowship is a career development programme for working parents in the NHS who want to lead positive change. Apply by 11/07. Find out more.
Professor Vanessa Bohns - How to Influence Others to Say Yes, Why You Have More Power Than You Think & Learning How to Reframe Rejection
10 Mar 2022
00:47:41
Our guest this week is an expert in utilising the power of persuasion to get what you want.
Vanessa Bohns is a social psychologist and associate professor of organisational behaviour at Cornell University, New York. She is also the author of a thought-provoking new book You Have More Influence Than You Think.
In the book, Vanessa draws from her original research to illustrate exactly why we might fail to recognise the influence we have, and how that lack of awareness can lead us to miss opportunities or accidentally misuse our power.
We discuss the 3 things you can do to help you hear yes for a work request (such as asking for flexible working) and why the research actually shows you're more likely to hear a positive response than you might think.
Our discussion also covers:
What you can do to increase the chance of hearing YES
Dealing with rejection and re-framing no
Why human connection is so integral to decision making
How to stop people-pleasing and learn to say no
Why organisations need to be mindful of their people who are working remotely so their voices are included
Why as a leader it’s critical to still listen to other ideas
Why expressing compliments and gratitude is so powerful
Vanessa's book You Have More Influence Than You Think is available via her website vanessabohns.com.
Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children?
Each month we send out a helpful round-up email featuring useful info and brave new ideas for ambitious mums and dads. Sign up now.
Applications are now open for our NHS Fellowship
Our FMLM accredited NHS Fellowship is a career development programme for working parents in the NHS who want to lead positive change. Apply by 11/07. Find out more.
Rosie Hewat - How to Handle the Call Back to the Office & Tips on Requesting Flexible Working
02 May 2024
00:38:36
Has your employer recently called you back to the office?
Our guest today is Rosie Hewat, Group Chief People Officer at fintech company Kuda.
In 2024, many organisations have begun to pull their workers back to the office. As an experienced HR and people management professional and an advocate for flexible working, Rosie shares practical advice on how you can handle this request.
Plus, listen for tips on requesting flexible working and what to do if your flexible working request is rejected.
Claire Ferreira (Mums in Marketing) - Practical Steps for Beating Imposter Syndrome, How to be Paid What You're Worth & Why Community is Essential for Working Parents
02 Mar 2022
00:50:29
Today's podcast guest is Claire Ferreira, an NLP Coach and the Founder of Mums in Marketing, a free community connecting "women who do marketing and raise humans".
Verena and Claire compare notes about how to create a peer support community with impact (like Mums in Marketing and the Leaders Plus Fellowship) and why this is so incredibly important for working parents.
There is also a powerful two-way conversation about losing confidence at work after having children, imposter syndrome and mental health. Verena and Claire share practical advice on how to overcome challenges, including silencing your internal doubter when asking to be paid fairly.
In this episode...
Imposter syndrome - how it might show up and strategies that may be helpful
Mental health challenges and how having children can be a seismic shift for some
Parenting without family support nearby
How to stop comparing yourself to others
The magic sauce when it comes to creating a powerful, transformative community
Enjoy this week's discussion and as always please let us know your thoughts @leaders_plus.
Find out more about our work, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programme and our latest events by signing up to receive our emails at leadersplus.org.uk/newsletter.
Please remember to rate, review, subscribe and share with any friends, family, or colleagues who may benefit.
Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children?
Each month we send out a helpful round-up email featuring useful info and brave new ideas for ambitious mums and dads. Sign up now.
Applications are now open for our NHS Fellowship
Our FMLM accredited NHS Fellowship is a career development programme for working parents in the NHS who want to lead positive change. Apply by 11/07. Find out more.
Dr. Heejung Chung - Why Flexible Working Can Lead to Exploitation, Especially for Women
Heejung Chung offers a completely fresh perspective on flexible working and whilst she acknowledges it as a great solution to our work-life balance challenges, she also believes it can lead to us exploiting ourselves much more than if we worked a normal working pattern.
Heejung shares with us what she has learned about avoiding exploitation when you work flexibly. How she practically manages to do a busy demanding academic job in 9-5 hours, including how she was promoted to Professor.
We discuss:
How flexible working patterns can lead to self-exploitation
Stigmatised views of flexible working, including flexible working stigma
Why well-balanced workers make the best workers
Assumptions about working mothers
What can businesses do - range of new policy innovations
Why every organisation should report on flexible working requests
Why companies should showcase c-suite examples of flexible working
How research has shaped Professor Heejung’s own work pattern
Why you need to have difficult conversations with your partner (if you have one)
Dr. Chung's book The Flexiblity Paradox is available from 04 March 2022. Find out more here.
Follow Leaders Plus on Twitter @leaders_plus and find out more about our work, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programme and our latest events. The application deadline for the Fellowship is 01 March 22.
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Jane Galloway - How to Successfully Request Flexible Working, Juggling Two Careers, Finding Your Tribe & Silencing Your Inner Critic
16 Feb 2022
00:42:32
Our guest today is Jane Galloway, Head of Flexible Working for NHS England and the Founder of the brilliant Quiet the Hive, a community that helps women identify the life they want and arms them with the tools and confidence to go get it.
Jane is incredibly passionate that flexible working should be for all and she shares fantastic advice that will be very helpful if you're looking to make a change to your working pattern, whether you're working in the NHS or for any other organisation.
But what happens if your manager or senior leaders within your organisation don't share your vision for flexibility? Jane shares with us how best to position your request and advocate for change in the workplace.
There's also a brilliant conversation about silencing your inner critic, why finding your tribe will truly help you progress your career, and (following discussion around some beautiful and memorable earrings) why we shouldn't save our favourite clothes for best.
Our chat also includes:
Why Jane has chosen to set up her own company alongside working for the NHS and bringing up her two children
How to position your flexible working request in the NHS (or any other organisation)
How to deal with individuals who are against flexible working
Why we need more work-life harmony
How to silence your inner critic
Why it's critical you find your tribe
Why you shouldn't save things 'for best'
During the episode, we mention a Flexible Working Guide which you can download via the Leaders Plus website. Access the guide here.
Follow Leaders Plus on Twitter @leaders_plus and find out more about our work, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programme and our latest events. The application deadline for the Fellowship is 01 March 22.
Please remember to rate, review, subscribe and share with any friends, family, or colleagues who may benefit.
Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children?
Each month we send out a helpful round-up email featuring useful info and brave new ideas for ambitious mums and dads. Sign up now.
Applications are now open for our NHS Fellowship
Our FMLM accredited NHS Fellowship is a career development programme for working parents in the NHS who want to lead positive change. Apply by 11/07. Find out more.
Vicky Fox (The Supreme Court) - Becoming a CEO, Working Flexibly & Making Brave Career Decisions
09 Feb 2022
00:48:24
Our guest today is Chief Executive of The Supreme Court, Vicky Fox.
A mum of 3 boys (now young adults), Vicky has made some tough decisions for her career and family life. Including putting her career progression on hold and making the brave decision to leave a specialist career whilst her children were younger before reigniting her work ambitions with a new role later on in her career.
Vicky is an incredible role model and her approach to life is honest and refreshing. Particularly when discussing prioritising her sons and how she will always take their calls during work meetings if they need her.
The discussion includes:
Making brave career decisions
Why family will always come first
Working part-time in a senior position
Imposter syndrome and why everyone has it
How to become a CEO
The skills you need when going for the most senior positions
People pleasing and how to combat it
Balancing the mental load and the power of structured conversations
Please remember to rate, review, subscribe and share with any friends, family, or colleagues who may benefit.
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Applications are now open for our NHS Fellowship
Our FMLM accredited NHS Fellowship is a career development programme for working parents in the NHS who want to lead positive change. Apply by 11/07. Find out more.
Jane Beeston (Colart) - How Being a Parent Positively Impacted My Senior Leadership Career, Imposter Syndrome & Bringing Your Whole Self to Work
02 Feb 2022
00:44:27
My guest today is Jane Beeston, Chief People Officer for Colart (the global market leader for art materials) and mother to two grown up boys.
Becoming a Chief People Officer is the pinnacle of a career in Human Resources and Jane shares with us how being a parent has positively impacted her senior leadership career trajectory, including how having children has allowed her to bring her whole self to work and contributed to her personal development and growth.
This conversation is especially interesting because Jane practices what she preaches having responsibility for peoples work place and she shares with us how she makes those decisions at Colart.
We also discuss:
How being a parent positively impacted Jane's career
Imposter syndrome and how to overcome it
How to build your confidence at work
Bringing your whole self to work
Speaking without emotion about pay rises
Moving to China for her career
Why Colart are champions of flexible working
Jane was one of the earliest champions of our social enterprise and is passionate about supporting leaders with babies to progress their careers. We hope you enjoy the discussion and find the advice shared valuable.
Connect with Jane on LinkedIn here and find out more about the work of Colart.
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Applications are now open for our NHS Fellowship
Our FMLM accredited NHS Fellowship is a career development programme for working parents in the NHS who want to lead positive change. Apply by 11/07. Find out more.
Elliott Rae - Equal Parenting, Masculinity & Dads Mental Health
26 Jan 2022
00:43:14
Our guest this week is Elliott Rae, the Founder of Music Football Fatherhood, a support forum often referred to as 'Mumsnet for Dads' and author of the best-selling book, “Dad - Untold Stories of Fatherhood, Love, Mental Health and Masculinity.
Elliott left his senior career in the civil service following the traumatic birth of his daughter and is a passionate advocate of men's mental health. His own experience of PTSD inspired him to write the book, Dad, in which Elliott and 19 other dads open up about their honest experiences of fatherhood.
We discuss:
Dads' mental health and recognising the signs you need help
How to achieve true equal parenting
Why you need to have open conversations about parenting before becoming a parent
Toxic masculinity and positive masculinity
Eliott will be presenting the BBCOne show 'Becoming Dad' on Wed 26 Jan 22 at 7.30pm, as part of the #WeAreEngland series. Do tune in or look out for it on iPlayer.
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Applications are now open for our NHS Fellowship
Our FMLM accredited NHS Fellowship is a career development programme for working parents in the NHS who want to lead positive change. Apply by 11/07. Find out more.
The Job Share Pair - Everything You Need to Know About Job Sharing
19 Jan 2022
00:49:57
"Most people know what the concept of job sharing is but many don't know how it works in practice."
Our guests this week on the Big Careers, Small Children podcast are Hannah Hall-Turner and Rachel Maguire, otherwise known as The Job Share Pair.
Having successfully job shared together in their HR Director role at a Fortune 500 firm they are now on a mission to make job sharing an accessible option for all.
Rachel and Hannah talk really honestly about the pro's and con's of job sharing, detailing everything you need to know before embarking on one.
The conversation is packed with so much practical advice and links to useful resource wherever you are in the process.
So whether you're considering finding a job share partner, are already job sharing and want tips to improve the relationship or if you're an employer wondering what the benefit would be to your organisation, listen to this episode to learn:
How to find your perfect job share partner
The characteristics you might need to be successful at job sharing
If you need to be close friends with your job sharing partner for your job share to work
The best way to structure your working week with your partner
The tools Hannah and Rachel use to revolutionise their handovers
Whether job sharers should expect to take a pay cut
How to convince your organisation that job sharing works
The latest stats around job sharing success
The resources that can support you in your job share
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Applications are now open for our NHS Fellowship
Our FMLM accredited NHS Fellowship is a career development programme for working parents in the NHS who want to lead positive change. Apply by 11/07. Find out more.
Gabriel Davies - Why Ambition Shouldn't be a Dirty Word
12 Jan 2022
00:40:19
This week Verena Hefti, FRSA is joined by the brilliant Gabriel Davies, a mother of two and a Commercial Director at the global green energy company Ørsted, working in the leadership team responsible for building the world’s largest offshore wind farm. Gabriel is also an inaugural Fellow on the award-winning Leaders Plus Fellowship Programme.
This week our discussion focuses on ambition and why this shouldn’t be a dirty word but in fact is something to be celebrated by working parents.
Gabriel shares honest reflections on how to thrive in a male dominated environment like engineering. Plus practical tips for anyone considering setting up a gender inclusion network at their organisation – including why men are integral to any conversations around gender equality.
There are also plenty of helpful suggestions from Gabriel’s own experience returning to work from two maternity leaves, including what she did differently the second time around.
It’s a really inspiring conversation filled with so many useful tips – we hope you find it useful.
Please remember to rate, review, and subscribe and share with any friends, family, or colleagues who may benefit.
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Applications are now open for our NHS Fellowship
Our FMLM accredited NHS Fellowship is a career development programme for working parents in the NHS who want to lead positive change. Apply by 11/07. Find out more.
Sharath Jeevan - Finding Your Motivation and Inner Drive
05 Jan 2022
00:42:51
Our guest today is Sharath Jeevan, an expert when it comes to motivation and purpose and the best-selling author of Intrinsic, a practical guide to re-igniting the inner-drive (or intrinsic motivation) in our lives.
Sharath is also the Executive Chairman of Intrinsic Labs, supporting organisations all around the world to solve deep motivational challenges.
Previously Sharath founded and led STiR Education to re-ignite the motivation of 200,000 teachers, 35,000 schools and 7 million children in emerging countries.
During the Pandemic many working parents have questioned how they spend their time and are seeking more purpose in their working life. So during our discussion Sharath shares with us:
Whether it's essential to leave the 'rat race' to find deeper fulfilment
How we can achieve more lasting happiness and success in our careers
The difference between mastery and autonomy
How all individuals need to work on their personal mission statements
Why parenting models now need to change
We hope you find our conversation useful and insightful.
Please remember to rate, review, and subscribe and share with any friends, family, or colleagues who may benefit.
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Applications are now open for our NHS Fellowship
Our FMLM accredited NHS Fellowship is a career development programme for working parents in the NHS who want to lead positive change. Apply by 11/07. Find out more.
Compilation Episode: Finding a Job With Purpose
22 Dec 2021
00:21:21
Finding a career that also brings meaning to your life is a priority for many working parents so this week we are diving back through the archives to bring you the very best tips from our previous podcast guests.
For many Christmas is a time of reflection and an opportunity to sharpen your vision, these thought provoking snippets will help inspire you to make your purpose a reality.
You will hear from:
Dr Geraldine Strathdee OBE (the former National Clinical Director of Mental Health for NHS England) shares with us the importance of having purpose in your work, including how if we are to do amazing things we need to surround ourselves with inspiring people.
Kath Austin (Entrepreneur, CEO & Founder, BeeBee & Leaf) shares quite honestly the highs and lows of taking the business from her kitchen table to shop shelves and why you should absolutely dream big.
Reverend Carla Maurer (Swiss Church in London) discusses developing purpose, how to set boundaries and offers top tips for prioritising yourself.
We hope you enjoy the episode. We will take a short break over Christmas and will return on Wednesday 05 January.
Please remember to rate, review, and subscribe and share with any friends, family, or colleagues who may benefit.
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Applications are now open for our NHS Fellowship
Our FMLM accredited NHS Fellowship is a career development programme for working parents in the NHS who want to lead positive change. Apply by 11/07. Find out more.
Elizabeth Willetts - How to Get Your Flexible Working Request Approved & Why the Future of Work is Hybrid
25 Apr 2024
00:33:36
What do the people who get flexible working requests approved have in common?
Today we welcome Elizabeth (Liz) Willetts, CEO and Founder of Investing in Women to the podcast to discuss her work advocating for the power of part-time and flexible working.
Liz shares her top tips for getting your flexible working request approved, including when it is best to mention flexible working during interview stages.
Plus, why Liz believes the future of work is hybrid.
Compilation Episode: The Best Tips for Managing Workload, Mental Health and Well Being
15 Dec 2021
00:34:46
Something a little different for this week's podcast. We are diving into the archives to bring you some of the very best tips around managing workload and supporting your mental health and wellbeing from popular previous episodes.
Laura Harrison (Co-Founder of The Human Change Agency and a Leaders Plus Mentor) has excellent advice on managing your workload when you move from full time to part time hours, including sharing actionable tips on how you can make changes to your working hours that work best for you and your company.
Poppy Jaman OBE (CEO, City Mental Health Alliance) is a mover and shaker when it comes to mental health and the fact that we are now talking openly about mental health issues at work is strongly influenced by her incredible work. Poppy shares with us the best piece of advice she was given and it may surprise you!
Dr Suhana Ahmed (Consultant Psychiatrist, Old Age at South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust) is another pioneer in the area of mental health and has been in the thick of things during the COVID-19 crisis leading an NHS psychiatric inpatient ward where patients had caught COVID. Suhana shares with us how she led a team during such a challenging time, including the things she learned during the experience that have made her a better leader.
Finally we revisit a powerful panel discussion dedicated to the topic of workload and managing expectations. Panellists Susannah Hardyman (CEO, Action Tutoring) and Vicky Fox (CEO, The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom) have practical advice on managing workload whilst progressing an ambitious career alongside bringing up children.
With special thanks again to our fantastic podcast guests:
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Our FMLM accredited NHS Fellowship is a career development programme for working parents in the NHS who want to lead positive change. Apply by 11/07. Find out more.
Catherine O'Brien - Sharing the Mental Load & Finding Time For Your Partner
08 Dec 2021
00:43:24
Having a baby is a huge transition for any couple and navigating life as a new family can be particularly challenging.
This week's guest, Catherine O'Brien, is an expert in relationships. As a marriage and family therapist and the author of the brilliant book Happy With Baby she shares with new parents the advice she wishes she could have had as a parent, whilst giving practical tips on how to keep your relationship afloat after starting a family.
Our discussion includes:
How to make time for each other when leaving the house for a date night isn't an option
When it's time to seek outside support from counselling
How to make sure you're present with your partner
Ways to share the mental load
How to ask for help so that your partner hears you
Enjoy this week’s inspiring episode and if you’d like to connect with Catherine you can head to www.happywithbaby.com for more details about her work, including where to buy her wonderful book.
Head to www.leadersplus.org.uk/couples for more resources, including a checklist of 10 questions all couples should answer before returning from Maternity Leave, Shared Parental Leave or Adoption Leave.
Follow Leaders Plus on Twitter @leaders_plus and find out more about our work, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programme, which includes a session for couples.
Please remember to rate, review, and subscribe and share with any friends, family, or colleagues who may benefit
Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children?
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Applications are now open for our NHS Fellowship
Our FMLM accredited NHS Fellowship is a career development programme for working parents in the NHS who want to lead positive change. Apply by 11/07. Find out more.
Fiona McDonnell - Defining Your Work/Life Rhythm, Dealing With a Bad Boss & Finding Purpose in Your Career
01 Dec 2021
00:51:20
Joining Verena Hefti in this episode of Big Careers, Small Children is Fiona McDonnell, an author and business leader with more than 30 years' experience in senior management at global companies like Kellogg's, Nike and Amazon.
Having regularly mentored others and as a regular speaker on the topic of careers, Fiona recently published her debut book Two Mirrors and a Cheetah: Think Differently, Own Your Career & Succeed by Being Yourself which offers inspiring, insightful and practical advice to bring career fulfilment.
Verena and Fiona discuss:
How to identify your purpose and progress your career
Recognise and successfully navigate change
Deal with challenges like a ‘bad’ manager
Define your own work-life rhythm
Enjoy this week’s inspiring episode and if you’d like to connect with Fiona you can find her on LinkedIn here.
Find out more about Fiona's career, including details of where you can purchase her brilliant book via her website www.fionamcdonnell.com.
Please remember to rate, review, and subscribe and share with any friends, family, or colleagues who may benefit.
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Applications are now open for our NHS Fellowship
Our FMLM accredited NHS Fellowship is a career development programme for working parents in the NHS who want to lead positive change. Apply by 11/07. Find out more.
Sylvia Opara - Dealing With Inappropriate Workplace Behaviour, Thriving in a Male Dominated Industry & Progressing Your Career When You Want a Big Family
24 Nov 2021
00:39:14
Hopefully none of our listeners have ever had to deal with sexist, racist or power play incidents at work. But if you had, would you know how to take them to HR?
On this episode of the Big Careers, Small Children Podcast (formerly Leaders With Babies) Verena chats with Sylvia Opara, the Group Head of Human Resources at Alandale Group of Companies.
As a senior HR leader in the male dominated construction industry, Sylvia shares with us her tips for dealing with inappropriate behaviour in the workplace. Plus, why she champions women in the construction industry and how we should applaud the recent progress that has been made in the sector.
Sylvia is also a mum of 4 and recently returned to work for the 4th time. She shares how she has managed to pursue her career aspirations and progress her leadership roles whilst also juggling a large family.
They also discuss:
Why the best career choice you can make is the partner you choose
What Sylvia has learned about negotiation
Sylvia's top 3 tips for progressing your senior career whilst wanting a big family
Enjoy this week’s inspiring episode and if you’d like to connect with Sylvia you can find her on LinkedIn here.
Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children?
Each month we send out a helpful round-up email featuring useful info and brave new ideas for ambitious mums and dads. Sign up now.
Applications are now open for our NHS Fellowship
Our FMLM accredited NHS Fellowship is a career development programme for working parents in the NHS who want to lead positive change. Apply by 11/07. Find out more.
Claudia T Miller - Equal Pay & Practical Tips for Securing the Pay Rise You Deserve
17 Nov 2021
00:49:31
We are very excited to welcome you to the Big Careers, Small Children Podcast and our first episode under our new name! (Formerly the Leaders With Babies Podcast)
Joining Verena this week is Senior Executive Coach and expert on all things pay, Claudia T Miller. Thursday 18 November 2021 is Equal Pay Day here in the UK, the day in the year where women effectively stop earning relative to men because of the Gender Pay Gap.
It may not shock you to learn that women earn (and particularly women in senior roles) about 15% less than their male counterparts.
Whilst the Gender Pay Gap is complex and doesn't exist solely because women aren't asking for a pay rise, women do need to be bold and push against injustice in the system.
In this episode Claudia gives extremely practical tips on how to get the pay rise you deserve.
Enjoy this week’s inspiring episode and if you’d like to find out more about Claudia's work head to her website www.claudiatmiller.com.
Please remember to rate, review, and subscribe and share with any friends, family, or colleagues who may benefit.
#EqualPayDay
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Applications are now open for our NHS Fellowship
Our FMLM accredited NHS Fellowship is a career development programme for working parents in the NHS who want to lead positive change. Apply by 11/07. Find out more.
We're Changing Our Name!
15 Nov 2021
00:02:09
Exciting news as the Leaders With Babies podcast is changing its name!
You may have heard me to discuss on previous episodes that I've been considering changing the name of our 5 star rated podcast. I love the name Leaders With Babies but I worried it held us back from reaching even more parents.
I've really appreciated all of the input from you the listeners on the name and I have taken all of the feedback you've shared onboard. Many of you have been in touch directly, voted online in the social media polls or even brainstormed ideas to send to me - a huge thank you to you all.
During the process one name really stood out to me, plus it topped our online poll.
So this morning I'd love to introduce you to the (drum roll)... Big Careers, Small Children podcast.
I think this name really encapsulates the ambition of the podcast. It's for parents and leaders who want big things in their careers, without making any compromises about enjoying their young families.
I hope you love our new name as much as I do. As I've mentioned before, the content and format of the podcast will remain exactly the same and each week we will continue to bring advice and practical tips to support parents who want to combine ambitious career aspiration with young children.
Our next episode will be released this week and is all about equal pay, so do stay tuned and look out for that.
Thanks again for all your support - Verena Hefti, CEO & Founder of Leaders Plus
Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children?
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Applications are now open for our NHS Fellowship
Our FMLM accredited NHS Fellowship is a career development programme for working parents in the NHS who want to lead positive change. Apply by 11/07. Find out more.
Geraldine Butler-Wright - Career Changes, Transferable Skills & Learning How to Sell Yourself
11 Nov 2021
00:45:17
Does your career make you feel alive? Our guest today believes it is critical that we find a job that ignites our passion and shares fantastic tips for working parents looking to change their career.
Geraldine Butler-Wright juggles multiple senior leadership roles. As Chief People & Culture Officer for Healthily she is on a mission to help a billion people find their health through self care. She is also a Trustee, Advisor and Strategic Advisor and for the past year has been a Senior Leader Mentor on our award-winning Leaders Plus Fellowship Programme. Geraldine is also a mum to a little girl and will welcome her second child in early 2022.
Having successfully navigated several career changes in her leadership career (including moving across sectors) Geraldine is an absolute goldmine of advice when it comes to ensuring your skills are transferable from job to job and this episode is a must listen for anyone who is thinking about a career change.
Our discussion includes:
Why it's important to find organisations who welcome fluidity in getting things done
Why just saying 'yes' might be the best decision you ever make
How to learn to sell yourself to a potential new employer
How to choose the right company for you
How to improve and then highlight your transferable skills
Geraldine's best advice for moving to an organisation with purpose
Enjoy this week's inspiring episode and if you'd like to you can connect with Geraldine on LinkedIn here.
Follow Leaders Plus on Twitter @leaders_plus #LeadersWithBabies
Please remember to rate, review, and subscribe and share with any friends, family, or colleagues who may benefit.
Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children?
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Applications are now open for our NHS Fellowship
Our FMLM accredited NHS Fellowship is a career development programme for working parents in the NHS who want to lead positive change. Apply by 11/07. Find out more.
Lee Higgins - Diverse Networking: How to Ensure You Cultivate Connections Who Aren't Just Like You & How to Virtual Network Strategically
04 Nov 2021
00:42:14
Who makes up your professional network and how different to you are they? Why do you need a diverse network and what's the best strategy to ensure you get one? Plus, what's the best networking advice if you find this skill doesn't come naturally to you?
I am delighted to welcome back to the podcast Lee Higgins, the co-founder of DIVERSE TALENT netWORKS and a thought leader who has decades of experience working as a headhunter for senior leadership roles.
Lee is particularly passionate about diversity and inclusion and he is an expert when it comes to creating professional relationships with people who are not like you.
In order to progress your career (and in order to get the things you need e.g. flexible working) you need to have cultivated relationships with senior people in your organisation and Lee has lots of practical advice to share on how to do this.
If (like myself and Lee) you find networking doesn't always come naturally to you then you'll really benefit from the tips Lee shares. Including:
How to create relationships with people who are not exactly like you
Why most people find networking difficult
Why tone of voice and delivery are your secret weapons
The best advice Lee has ever been given about networking
Why we need to make time for networking
Why you should connect with people who have different perspectives
Please remember to rate, review, and subscribe and share with any friends, family, or colleagues who may benefit.
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Applications are now open for our NHS Fellowship
Our FMLM accredited NHS Fellowship is a career development programme for working parents in the NHS who want to lead positive change. Apply by 11/07. Find out more.
Carole Robin Ph.D - Building Exceptional Relationships
28 Oct 2021
00:45:27
Carole Robin Ph.D is Co-Founder of Leaders in Tech, a development program for leaders of tech companies. She also taught the legendary Interpersonal Dynamics (aka Touchy Feely) course at the Stanford Graduate School of Business and is the co-author of the highly acclaimed Connect: Building Exceptional Relationships with Family, Friends and Colleagues. The book contains the lessons of "Touchy Feely" that thousands of students and executives have consistently described for decades as life changing.
Here she talks to Verena Hefti, Leaders Plus CEO and Founder about how to build exceptional relationships. They discuss:
- Productive conflict and how to challenge mental models - How disclosure is the building block for developing relationships - The 15% disclosure rule which will help you step put of your comfort zone - Building relationships with people who are different to you
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Applications are now open for our NHS Fellowship
Our FMLM accredited NHS Fellowship is a career development programme for working parents in the NHS who want to lead positive change. Apply by 11/07. Find out more.
Flora Letanka - Being an Exec Director whilst having young children
20 Oct 2021
00:36:14
Flora Letanka is Executive Director for Network Development at Teach First, the largest educational charity in the UK. She is in charge of mobilising high-impact networks of Teach First alumni, schools and others, to ensure that every child gets an outstanding education.
She is also a mum to three young children.
Here she speaks to Verena Hefti, Leaders Plus CEO and Founder, about being an Exec Director whilst having young children.
She discusses:
- How to remain visible whilst on maternity leave and keep progressing your career - Working with your maternity cover to ensure the best outcomes - What is needed for an Exec Director role - Failures and challenges she has experienced - Parental guilt
Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children?
Each month we send out a helpful round-up email featuring useful info and brave new ideas for ambitious mums and dads. Sign up now.
Applications are now open for our NHS Fellowship
Our FMLM accredited NHS Fellowship is a career development programme for working parents in the NHS who want to lead positive change. Apply by 11/07. Find out more.
Charlotte Boujassy - How to Let Go of the Pressure of Being a Perfect Parent & Progress Your Career
18 Apr 2024
00:40:21
Do you ever feel under pressure to be the perfect parent?
Verena Hefti MBE chats with Charlotte Boujassy, Director of Talent & Leadership Development Europe for a Japanese pharmaceutical company.
They discuss why it's so important to talk loudly about working flexibly at a senior level, how to deal with the pressure of perfectionism when you're a working parent and progressing your career after you have children.
Born in France, for the past 10 years, Charlotte has lived and worked in Munich. She co-parents her two daughters alongside her now ex-husband.
Michael Baran, Ph.D. - Tackling Subtle Acts of Exclusion
14 Oct 2021
00:41:29
Dr. Michael Baran is a social scientist and Senior Partner at inQUEST Consulting. He draws on his own research in cultural anthropology and cognitive psychology to inform his current diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work–his speaking engagements, writings, consulting, leadership development, workshop facilitation, and digital products.
In addition to his inQUEST work, Dr. Baran has taught courses at Harvard University and the University of Michigan. He has directed projects aimed at reducing racial disparities in education, health, housing, and criminal justice at the FrameWorks Institute and the American Institutes of Research. He is also the coauthor of the recently launched book Subtle Acts of Exclusion: How to Understand, Identify, and Stop Microaggressions, cited in Forbes as one of the “11 Books To Read If You Want To Be A More Inclusive Leader.”
Here he talks to Leaders Plus CEO and Founder, Verena Hefti, about tackling subtle acts of exclusion.
We discuss:
- What are subtle acts of exclusion, otherwise known as micro aggressions - How to have productive conversations about subtle acts of exclusion to ensure you feel heard - Practical tips to being more inclusive
Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children?
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Applications are now open for our NHS Fellowship
Our FMLM accredited NHS Fellowship is a career development programme for working parents in the NHS who want to lead positive change. Apply by 11/07. Find out more.
Katie Warringer- Exceptional Performance in Challenging Circumstances
07 Oct 2021
00:36:55
Katie is one of the UK’s leading Performance Psychologists, working behind the scenes and on the big stage with some of the world’s best athletes, leaders and organisations.
Here she speaks to Verena Hefti, Leaders Plus CEO and Founder, about how to achieve exceptional performance in challenging circumstances.
Katie and Verena discuss the impact of guilt, how lack of sleep affects performance, negative self talk and redefining success. Katie also offers her top tips for success.
Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children?
Each month we send out a helpful round-up email featuring useful info and brave new ideas for ambitious mums and dads. Sign up now.
Applications are now open for our NHS Fellowship
Our FMLM accredited NHS Fellowship is a career development programme for working parents in the NHS who want to lead positive change. Apply by 11/07. Find out more.
Fellowship Live Podcast- Honest Reflections on Career Ambitions and Insight into the Fellowship
30 Sep 2021
00:46:57
In this episode Verena Hefti, CEO and Founder of Leaders Plus, talks to three Leaders Plus Fellows about their honest reflections on career and ambitions, including failures and setting boundaries. They cover how to manage your own wellbeing whilst holding down a job and having children. They also discuss the value of the Leaders Plus Fellowship and how it has benefited them.
Are you progressing a big career whilst raising small children?
Each month we send out a helpful round-up email featuring useful info and brave new ideas for ambitious mums and dads. Sign up now.
Applications are now open for our NHS Fellowship
Our FMLM accredited NHS Fellowship is a career development programme for working parents in the NHS who want to lead positive change. Apply by 11/07. Find out more.