Applications to the Leaders Plus Fellowship close on 29 October 2023. Download Application Pack.“Give yourself the permission to be brave”Today we welcome Consultant Dr Jasmin Islam to the podcast. Jasmin balances two big roles alongside raising small children and splits her working hours between Kings College Hospital NHS & Clinical Public Health, United Kingdom Health Security Agency in London.Having recently returned from her second maternity leave, Jasmin joins Verena to discuss what she's learned about setting boundaries throughout her career and how she practically implements that in her own life.Jasmin also has helpful advice on how to ask for what you need, including how to deal with colleagues who might not be supportive of your requests.Connect with Jasmin on Twitter (X) @dr_jas_islam or get in touch via email [email protected]

Applications to the Leaders Plus Fellowship close on 29 October. Download Application Pack.“Have kind conversations with yourself - we are often our own harshest critics when we should be our own best supporter.”We interview the brilliant Kate Smith (Executive Director, Consulting - CBRE UK) about what she has learned from dealing with her own assumptions about herself and where she stands on whether you should adapt at work to emulate the stereotypical male leaders.The discussion includes:How small steps can lead to big changesBeing your authentic self at workHow she became an Executive DirectorWhy the term imposter syndrome isn’t always helpful We hope you enjoy the conversation.Show Notes:Invisible Women (Caroline Criada Perez) Fertility Matters at WorkEdelman Trust Barometer

At Big Careers, Small Children we are driving change for ambitious working parents.This #MondayMotivation bonus snippet from a previous episode shares a practical action you can implement this week to help you combine a big career with small children successfully. Advice today from Author and Researcher Alex Pang who shares practical suggestions on how you could begin implementing a 4 day working week.If you'd like to listen to Alex's conversation in full then head back to episode 32 of Big Careers, Small Children.Please note: our regular podcast episode will be released as usual on Thursday. Mentioned in this episode:Apply Now for the Leaders Plus Cross Sector FellowshipEarly bird applications for the Leaders Plus Cross-Sector Fellowship close on Saturday 30 September and the final application deadline is Sunday 29 October. Our award-winning Fellowship is a career development programme for working parents progressing senior careers who want to lead positive change. Find out more at www.leadersplus.org.uk/crosssectorfellowship

Applications to the Leaders Plus Fellowship close on 29 October. Download Application Pack.“I can honestly say I’ve been more successful on 4 days a week than 5 days a week.”It's a pleasure to welcome back Dominic Holmes to the podcast. Dominic is a Partner at the law firm Mischon De Reya and has successfully resized his client facing role from 5 days a week to 4 days.He shares:How he successfully reduced his workloadWhy delegating is crucialHow to set firm boundaries with your time Why he's been more successful since reducing his working hours We hope you enjoy the conversation.Show Notes:Connect with Dom on LinkedIn.Listen to episode 33, Dominic's previous episode of Big Careers, Small Children.

At Big Careers, Small Children we are driving change for ambitious working parents.This #MondayMotivation bonus snippet from a previous episode shares a practical action you can implement this week to help you combine a big career with small children successfully. Advice today from Dr Jennifer Petriglieri (Associate Professor of Organisational Behaviour at INSEAD) who shares how to work with your partner (if you have one) to increase both your chances of career success.If you'd like to listen to Jennifer's conversation in full then head back to episode 16 of Big Careers, Small Children.Please note: our regular podcast episode will be released as usual on Thursday. Mentioned in this episode:Apply Now for the Leaders Plus Cross Sector FellowshipEarly bird applications for the Leaders Plus Cross-Sector Fellowship close on Saturday 30 September and the final application deadline is Sunday 29 October. Our award-winning Fellowship is a career development programme for working parents progressing senior careers who want to lead positive change. Find out more at www.leadersplus.org.uk/crosssectorfellowship

“You will have transferable skills - it’s just a question of identifying what they are.”Today we welcome back Independent Non-Executive Director Helen Gillett to the podcast.Helen shares:What a Non-Executive Director role involvesHow to get a Non-Executive Director positionWhat being on a board actually meansHow you can successfully work your networkHow you can combine a Non-Executive Director role when you're a parent of young childrenWe hope you enjoy the conversation.Show Notes:Listen to Bruce Daisley's "Eat Sleep Work Repeat"Visit the Women on Boards websiteListen to Helen's previous episode of Big Careers, Small Children (episode 134)Early Bird Applications of the Leaders Plus Cross-Sector Fellowship close on Saturday 30 SeptemberOur award-winning Fellowship is a career development programme for working parents progressing senior careers who want to lead positive change. Find out more.

At Big Careers, Small Children we are driving change for ambitious working parents.This #MondayMotivation bonus snippet from a previous episode shares a practical action you can implement this week to help you combine a big career with small children successfully. Advice today from Vanessa Bohns (Professor of Organisational Behavior, Cornell University) who shares how you can get to 'yes' in negotiations and why you have more influence than you might think.A very useful skill when you're negotiating for a pay rise or a flexible working request.If you'd like to listen to Vanessa's conversation in full then head back to episode 80 of Big Careers, Small Children.Please note: our regular podcast episode will be released as usual on Thursday.

“With job sharing the company gets two people - two ideas, two heads, two brains.”Ours guests today Lydia Leipert and Rebecca Zöller job share a senior role at a Bavarian broadcaster and have even been nicknamed “Lydecca” by their colleagues.As they put it themselves - "between us we have 4 children, are 2 women and share 1 job".Lydia and Rebecca share the story of how they found each other, why job sharing can work so fantastically and how you can convince your employer to support you in a job share.We hope you enjoy the conversation.Show Notes:Find details of Lydia and Rebecca's book Geteilte Arbeit, doppelt durchstarten!: So funktioniert Jobsharing (currently only available in German)Visit the Lydecca website at www.lydecca-jobsharing.comFor helpful resources on job sharing in the UK look at: The Job Share Pair www.thejobsharepair.com - resources and community for job sharers as well as coaching and consulting (Hannah and Rachel were also on episode 73 of the Big Careers, Small Children Podcast, listen here)Flexible Working People - a community of professionals searching for flexible roles flexibleworkingpeople.comDaisy Chain - a free online platform where people can match with flexible employers daisy-chain.comInvesting in Women - a jobs board for part-time and flexible roles investinginwomen.co.uk Working Mums - part time and flexible roles www.workingmums.co.uk

At Big Careers, Small Children we are driving change for ambitious working parents.This #MondayMotivation bonus snippet from a previous episode shares a practical action you can implement this week to help you progress your career in a way that works for your family. Advice from Anita Kerwin-Nye (Executive Director - YHA England & Wales) who shares the top three things she tells her own Mentees who are progressing their careers whilst raising young children.If you'd like to listen to Anita's conversation in full then head back to episode 26 of Big Careers, Small Children. Please note: our regular podcast episode will be released as usual on Thursdays.

“Some of those lightbulb moments have actually come from engaging with people that come from totally different backgrounds, or totally different industries or have totally different perspectives.”Today we welcome global finance leader Drake Peabody to Big Careers, Small Children. Drake is an alumnus of the Leaders Plus Fellowship and Director of Group FP&A at IHS Towers, one of the largest independent owners, operators and developers of shared telecommunications infrastructure in the world.Born in the US in a small town near Connecticut, Drake has lived and worked all over the world but is now settled in London with his wife Kara and their young son.We discuss:How to effectively network to support career developmentHow to network in a way that feels authentic to youThe impact a sponsor can have on your career3 tips for non-natural networkers Connect with Drake Peabody on LinkedIn.

Ever find yourself drowning in a sea of endless responsibilities?Are you tired of feeling overwhelmed and in need of some practical solutions?Perhaps you need to address the microstress in your life.Microstresses are the small moments of stress that have insidiously infiltrated both our work and personal lives with invisible but devastating effects. These seemingly harmless everyday occurrences can zap our energy levels and impact our performance.Our guest today is Karen Dillon, an expert in dealing with microstress.A former Editor of Harvard Business Review magazine, Karen is the co-author of the bestselling book The Microstress Effect: How Little Things Pile Up and Create Big Problems - and What to Do about It.In this podcast, Karen shares practical tips on how to limit the microstress in our lives, including shedding light on:What counts as microstress and how it might be impacting you day-to-dayWhy most moments of microstress come from interactions with someone elseWhy negative interactions have up to 5 times the impact of positive interactions How to deal with a boss or colleague who is regularly creating moments of microstressHow to build resilience against microstress in our lives We hope you enjoy the conversation and are able to put the tips into practice. Show Notes:Find Karen's book The Microstress Effect on Amazon.Rob Cross (Karen's Co-Author) has a range of resources on robcross.orgLearn more about the Microstress Effect App on Google Play or in the Apple App Store.

Over the summer host Verena Hefti MBE is taking a short break from podcast recording and instead, we'll be sharing some of her personal favourite episodes.This week we are revisiting the 2020 episode recorded with Dr Jennifer Petriglieri, an expert on how dual career couples can thrive in relationships both at home and at work.Jennifer shares the concrete steps you can take today to strengthen the positive impact of your relationship on your career. Plus there’s a breakdown of the 3 types of couple approaches to careers and a reminder that our partner is often our secret weapon when it comes to our long-term career success.We hope you enjoy the conversation.Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe, it really makes a difference.

Over the summer host Verena Hefti MBE is taking a short break from podcast recording and instead, we'll be sharing some of her personal favourite episodes.This week we revisit the episode with author and business leader Fiona McDonnell.Fiona's debut book Two Mirrors and a Cheetah offers inspiration and practical advice on finding career fulfilment. Including how you can challenge assumptions and choices that hold you back.Listen to the episode to learn how to:Identify your purpose and progress your careerRecognise and successfully navigate changeDeal with challenges like a ‘bad’ managerDefine your own work-life rhythmDon’t forget to rate, review and subscribe, it really makes a difference.

Over the summer host Verena Hefti MBE is taking a short break from podcast recording and instead, we'll be sharing some of her personal favourite episodes.This week we revisit the 2019 episode with former National Childbirth Trust (NCT) CEO, Nick Wilkie.Nick talks candidly about stepping away from his Chief Executive position at the NCT to be a full-time parent, allowing his partner to return a full-time leadership position and how he will ensure that headhunters still remember him when he returns.Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe, it really makes a difference.

Over the summer host, Verena Hefti MBE is taking a short break from podcast recording and instead, we'll be sharing some of her personal favourite episodes.This week we invite you to revisit the episode with Leaders Plus Fellow Lucy Walker who talks through how she became a Non-Executive Director and how you can become one too.Connect with Lucy on LinkedIn here.Useful Resources Mentioned by LucyWomen on Boards: www.womenonboards.netNurole: www.nurole.com Dynamic Boards: www.dynamicboards.co.ukFirst Flight Non-Executive Directors: www.firstflightnonexec.com

Over the summer host, Verena Hefti MBE is taking a short break from interviewing to spend time with her family. We'll be revisiting some of the most popular episodes of the Big Careers, Small Children podcast for you to enjoy.This week we invite you to re-visit the 2020 episode with Anna Whitehouse (also known as Mother Pukka) who talks about setting up her flex appeal campaign and why she has pioneered change in flexible working.The wonderful news is since recording the podcast with Anna the law has changed because of this incredible campaigning. When the Flexible Working Bill passes Royal Assent it will mean ALL workers have the legal right to request flexible working from day one with their company.Congratulations to Anna and all involved in #FlexAppeal.Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe, it really makes a difference.

“One of the most important things is to have people who will mention you in a room when you’re not there.”Our guest today is Ashley Quinto Powell, a serial entrepreneur and the author of Executive Motherhood: The Art of Having It All Without Doing It All.Ashley founded the Virtual Assistant Agency, myVA Rocks and has spoken about motherhood for TEDx and many others. So what are the practical strategies working parents can use to really sell themselves when they are busy progressing their career and raising children?Ashley shares her tips, including:Why we need women in the room - and at the topThe importance of a powerful virtual network and how to build itMoving beyond “imposter syndrome”Part-time salary negotiations and understanding your real valueWhether you should talk about yourself as a working parent in a job interviewHow to sell your skills when you don't like promoting yourselfWe hope you enjoy the conversation.Show Notes:Executive Motherhood: The Art of Having It All Without Doing It All is available on Amazon.Find out more about Fraser Nash Consultancy.

“No person grows like the parent who is just about to start primary school.”Will your child start a new school this year? As exciting as the school transition is for you and your child the school journey can bring an extra set of challenges for working parents. This week Leaders Plus Fellows Rajani Rao and Temi Olusola share their personal experience of having a child begin their school journey and the practical tips they have learned along the way.Discover:How to thrive when your child starts school The unexpected things to be ready forThe practicalities to consider when you're child is off school for holidaysHow to make the school transition as enjoyable as possible (for you and your child)With thanks to Rajani Rao, Principle Engineer at U-Blox and Temi Olusola, HRD at Westminster Abbey for sharing their honest experiences. Show Notes:Maternity Action - free legal advice (https://maternityaction.org.uk) Find more tips over on the Leaders Plus blog.

"I fundamentally believe we cannot have equality at work until we have equality at home."This week we welcome change maker Polly Mackenzie to the podcast.Driving change has been central to Polly's career which has spanned several high-profile roles. Polly was previously Director of Policy to then Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg. After leaving Government, Polly established the operations of the  Women’s Equality Party as well as founding the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute alongside Martin Lewis. She was also the Chief Executive of the think tank Demos.Polly is currently the Chief Social Purpose Officer at University of the Arts London. In this powerful discussion, Verena and Polly discuss driving real change and creating meaningful policies for working parents. Follow Polly on Twitter @pollymackenzieShow Notes:Herb Cohen - You Can Negotiate AnythingJames O'Brien - How to be Right in a World Gone WrongEmail [email protected] if your organisation is doing awesome policy work and you want to be included on the list of companies

“We all experience different types of meaning in our lives and we all have different sources of meaning in our lives.”If you feel you lack purpose, should you try to find the meaning of life? How can you increase the meaning you find in both life and work?Why are so many jobs unfulfilling and what practically can you do about it?Philosopher Christian Uhle joins Verena Hefti MBE for a frank discussion on meaning and how we can all increase the meaning in our lives.Find out more about Christian's work, including his book 'Wozu Das Alles' at https://christian-uhle.de Resources mentioned:David Graeber - Bullshit Jobs: A Theory John Maynard Keynes - Economic Possibilities for Our Grandchildren 

“Compassionate leadership starts with the self.”As a leader how can you balance compassion for your colleagues with effectiveness in getting the job done?This week Verena is joined by the Assistant HR Director for NHS Ayrshire and Arryn, Ann Crumley, who has over 30 years of experience working in the NHS.They discuss:Why compassionate leadership starts with putting yourself firstWhat has changed for working parents in the last 30 years, particularly in the NHSHow to approach difficult conversations by being humanGuilt and judgement of working parentsThe transformative power of coachingShow Notes:Employee Engagement & NHS Performance Read the article by Michael West & Jeremy Dawson herePersonality test: Myers-Briggs Personality Test Find out moreFree Coaching for NHS Scotland Staff Find out moreAre 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 FellowshipOur 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.

Is it possible to move a full time job down to 3 or 4 days without exhausting yourself in the process?In this episode, Leaders Plus Senior Leader Mentor Helen Gillett shares her experience of successfully resizing jobs and finding purposeful work. Following an award-winning career as a leader in the utilities and wellbeing sector, Helen has now entered a phase of portfolio non-executive and advisory work. Helen and Verena discuss:Moving a full time job to 3 or 4 days without exhausting yourselfWhy organisations need to think through the flexibility they offer   Choosing roles purposefully Why organisations need to invest in their managers How to figure out where you add value to the team Connect with Helen on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helengillett Show Notes:Mention: Greg Reed (CEO, Places for People) 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 FellowshipOur 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.

Can silence be a powerful tool in the workplace?Join us as we explore this intriguing concept with this week's guest, John Higgins, an academic researcher and expert on speaking truth to power and workplace activism. In this episode, John shares with Verena how embracing silence can help us build connections, understand others' stories, and foster a more inclusive environment.They also discuss the importance of changing norms for working parents and recognising the consequences of privilege in the workplace. John offers practical advice on navigating workplace politics, creating equality of voice, and building allyship to support a more inclusive environment. Plus, discover the role of silence in our personal and professional relationships and how it can lead to deeper connections and more meaningful conversations.Buy John's book “The Great Unheard at Work: Understanding Voice and Silence in Organisations” via the Routledge Bookshop, using the code TGUW25 for a 25% discount. (correct at time of publishing)Find out more by going to www.radicalod.com or www.JohnHigginsResearch.comShow Notes:"Wives of the Organization" article by Anne HuffDiscover the work of Professor Megan Reitz at www.meganreitz.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 FellowshipOur 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.

What stops employers from offering true flexibility at work and how can we drive change in this area? Our guests today are Helen Stenhouse and Alison Hilton from the HR company People Puzzles. Together with host Verena Hefti MBE they discuss:How organisations could offer the same flexibility as freelance life Why trust is at the centre of flexible workingWhy organisations need to focus on outcomes and not working hours The importance of creating work environments where people don’t burn themselves out Why culture and role modelling is so important within an organisation How the Pandemic enabled employees to bring their whole self to workWhy there’s a commercial upside to flexible working - you get brilliant people!Show Notes:The book mentioned is The Flexibility Paradox by Dr Heejung Chung.Dr Chung was a previous guest on the Big Careers, Small Children podcast where she discussed why flexible working can sometimes lead to exploitation, especially for women. Listen to episode 78 with Dr Chung.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 FellowshipOur 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.

“You should always be thinking that you need to be fairly compensated for the value you are bringing.”This week we welcome Tobi Asare, Founder of the online platform for working mothers My Bump Pay.As the first woman in her office location to go through the maternity leave process, Tobi found herself on a steep learning curve and became interested in how mums go on to build successful careers amidst the barriers that surround working mothers.Tobi and Verena discuss:Negotiating for a pay rise (especially whilst on maternity leave)Practical tips to communicate your value to your employer How to avoid the part-time pay penalty as a parentHow to ensure you're not impacted by the pension pay gapHow to increase your visibility at work Tobi's book The Blend is available 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 FellowshipOur 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.

“If the [careers after babies] report did one thing it proved that 85% of us can’t make full time working in the office work alongside having young children.”This week our guest is Jessica Heagren, ex Financial Services Director, mother of four and the CEO and Founder of That Works For Me, a platform connecting skilled professionals with flexible work.Jessica is also the author of the groundbreaking Careers After Babies Report which presents stark research on what really happens to women's careers after they have children.Host Verena Hefti MBE and Jessica discuss:The findings of the Career After Babies ReportWhy it's so hard to combine a big career and childrenWhat the report identifies as the crux of the issueWhy objectives and contribution to the team matter more than timeWhy so many women are leaving middle management jobsThe positive impact of flexibility on working parents    Download the Careers After Babies Report here.Connect with Jessica Heagren on LinkedIn.Show notes:Two resources that came up in the conversation between Verena and Jess.Episode 99 – Dr. Christian Busch – How to Create Your Own Good Luck & Cultivate SerendipityThe Equal Parent, by Paul Morgan-BentleyApplications are now open for our award-winning NHS Fellowship until 11 July. Find out more.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 FellowshipOur 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.

There’s no doubt that the NHS is a unique and highly pressurised work environment.To celebrate the launch of applications opening for our award-winning NHS Fellowship Programme we have handpicked some of the most thought provoking discussions from previous podcast episodes.Each clip features an inspiring NHS Leader who has combined or is currently combining a big career with raising small children.Topics covered include:Advice on returning to workDriving change and the gender pay gap in the NHSPostnatal depressionOvercoming challengesGuiltDeciding when to have childrenFlexible working in the NHSFeatured:Dr. Susie Minson – Consultant Paediatrican (Series 1, Episode 1)Professor Jane Dacre – Emeritus Professor of UCL Medical School (Series 1, Episode 6)Dr. Geraldine Strathdee OBE – National Clinical Director for Mental Health, NHS England (Series 2, Episode 12)Dr. Suhana Ahmed – Clinical Director – Older People’s Mental Health Service & Consultant Psychiatrist (Series 3, Episode 25)Dr. Becky Maxwell – Emergency Medicine Consultant & Deputy Medical Director (Series 3, Episode 41)Dr. Karen Squires – A&E Consultant (Series 6, Episode 95)Kate Jarman – co-founder of Flex NHS and Director of Corporate Affairs (Series 7, Episode 100)Applications are now open for our award-winning NHS Fellowship until 11 July. Find out more.Find out more about the work of Leaders Plus, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programmes and our latest events by signing up to receive our emails at leadersplus.org.uk/newsletter.Listen now on Apple Music | Listen now on SpotifyAre 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 FellowshipOur 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.

“This time around I was really clear from the start with the recruiter that I can only consider this if the way in which I’m currently working  compressed hours can continue.”Our guest today is Graihagh Crawshaw-Sadler, the CEO of children's charity Bookmark and mum to 3 small children.Graihagh works flexibly 4 days a week as the charity CEO and she shares with Verena how she negotiated for flexible working during the recruitment process, including why she strongly believes being a working parent is a big asset. The discussion includes:What Graihagh learned about negotiating for flexible working during the application process  How to make an impact in the first 100 days at a new organisationHow Graihagh handles emails on her day offMoving from 2 to 3 childrenWhy you should update your LinkedIn profile Why being a working parent is one of your greatest strengthsConnect with Graihagh on LinkedIn or Twitter @GraihaghCLearn more about volunteering with Bookmark and helping children develop the reading skills they need to succeed in school and beyond at www.bookmarkreading.org.The recruitment firm mentioned are www.siennaedge.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 FellowshipOur 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.

“If someone offers you an opportunity, yes think about it, but do it. Know that you can do it.”Welcome to this bonus Employer Change Maker episode of Big Careers, Small Children.Today we welcome Emma Codd, a Partner and Global Inclusion Leader for Deloitte, a leading professional services firm.As Global Inclusion Leader Emma was responsible for devising and rolling out Deloitte's DEI strategy globally, spanning 160 countries around the world.Emma shares why she is so passionate about diversity and inclusion as well as practical tips and advice for driving culture change on such a high level.The discussion includes:How to implement a culture change that worksMaking culture changes without a big budgetFinding a senior sponsor to back youThe importance of having leadership buy-in to make changeThe common traps that DEI leaders fall into when trying to make change Watch Deloitte's award-winning Ask Yourself film which was created to encourage everyone at Deloitte to think about their personal responsibility to treat people with respect: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7G0OUHnCudwFind out more about diversity and inclusion at Deloitte.Connect with Emma Codd on Linkedin.Employer Change MakersThis episode is part of our Employer Change Maker series, supporting employers with expertise, ideas and resources to drive positive change for working parents within their organisations.  Leaders Plus are building a positive movement for change so that new parents can thrive in leadership roles and progress their careers. Find out more.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 FellowshipOur 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.

“If you’re a new parent thinking about going back to work and doing a job search, do have a think about searching for companies that are more remote first as it will make your life easier.”Today we welcome back Geraldine Butler-Wright to the podcast to discuss job hunting whilst on maternity leave. Geraldine recently returned to work from her own second maternity leave having accepted an exciting new role as Chief People and Culture Officer at the live streaming platform, StreamElements.Verena and Geraldine discuss:How to job hunt using your network whilst on maternity leaveHow to make the first 100 days at a new organisation count whilst also making time for self-careHow to practically reach out to companies you’re interested in (including what to write in your opening message)Why you should speak to your network in person and not on email when job huntingWhy parents should  might be best prioritising organisations who offer remote workConnect with Geraldine on LinkedIn. We hope you enjoy the conversation, remember to rate, review and subscribe to the podcast.  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 FellowshipOur 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.

“I had an awesome role model for how I want to work and the work-life balance I want.”  Sophie Riegel It's our first mother-daughter interview this week on Big Careers, Small Children and we're delighted to welcome Deborah Grayson Riegel and her daughter Sophie to the podcast.Deborah is a keynote speaker and consultant who teaches leadership communication for Wharton Business School and Columbia Business School. She regularly contributes to Harvard Business Review, Inc., Psychology Today, Forbes, and Fast Company and has written numerous books, including "Go To Help" which she co-authored with her daughter Sophie. Sophie Riegel is a Senior at Duke University and the author of "Don't Tell Me To Relax," "Overcoming Overthinking," and "Go To Help!" She is a professional speaker, coach, and mental health advocate. Our discussion includes:Strategies to stop overthinkingWhat it was like for daughter Sophie when her mother travelled the globe for work when she was young How to ask for help without feeling guilty Strategies for overcoming guilt as a working parent Find out more about Deborah Grayson Riegel via her website https://deborahgraysonriegel.com Find out more about Sophie Riegel, including her coaching practice at   https://sophieriegel.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 FellowshipOur 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.

“When it comes to diversity and inclusion a lot of organisations are managing recruitment and selection rather well. Promoting for diversity is a whole other issue.”Dr Claartje Vinkenburg is an expert on gender diversity in careers. In this special employer change maker episode of Big Careers, Small Children she joins Verena Hefti MBE to discuss the most recent research on career development in the context of promoting gender equality.Their discussion includes:How organisations can ensure that not just those who shout loudest get promotedWhether organisations should have high potential lists Whether women actually have lower confidence than men when it comes to career progressionGender differences in senior rolesWhy it’s good to share you have care responsibilities at interview stageThe strategy used by female employees in Barack Obama’s White House Administration to fight gender bias Connect with Dr Claartje Vinkenburg on LinkedIn.Employer Change MakersThis episode is part of our Employer Change Makers series, supporting employers with expertise, ideas and resources to drive positive change for working parents within their organisations.  Leaders Plus are building a positive movement for change so that new parents can thrive in leadership roles and progress their careers. Find out more.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 FellowshipOur 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.

"I worked for someone many years ago who said "You can look out the window or you can look in the mirror". I think it's really important to keep looking in the mirror every day and making sure you're role-modelling as much as you can.”In this episode, Verena speaks with Dax Grant, CEO Global Transform, Forbes Technology CouncilDax is a lead global authority on entrepreneurial c-suite leadership, a renowned Woman in Technology, accomplished keynote speaker and societal voice. Listed within the Global CIO 100, Cranfield School of Management 100 Women to Watch, CREA Global Awards Winner for Entrepreneurship, named Top 100 Most Influential Women in Leadership, March8 Magazine and Top 10 Most Influential Business Leaders, CXO Outlook Magazine.Dax has significant expertise in leading global COO and CIO functions, a board advisor and member of the Forbes Technology Council. As a Chartered Banker and Associate of the London Institute of Banking and Finance, Dax also holds an economics degree from Cambridge and MBA, Alumna of Cranfield Business School and Harvard Business School, Dax is recognized for her philanthropic activities, as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and author: The Entrepreneurial Quotient.They discuss:The importance of entrepreneurship within organisations for leading positive changeHumanizing leadership both at work and as a parent - and not making assumptions about what the other person needs or wantsThe flux in priorities at different phases of life and career, and the importance of letting some things stop to make space for othersFinding your purpose and using it to drive momentum for change.Connect with Dax on Linkedin.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 FellowshipOur 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 thing that bridges the gap between the choice I made and the connection I feel with the organisation - in order to give my best self to work - is purpose.”Today we welcome Adirupa Sengupta, Group CEO of Common Purpose, an incredible charity that runs leadership-development programmes around the world. Adirupa (Adi) has extensive experience working across different countries, cities and cultures to help leaders learn to cross boundaries in order to tackle complex problems. We discuss:What Adi used to believe about combining a big career with small children Frequently travelling internationally for work when you're a parentFinding your purpose Leading across boundariesDealing with assumptionsConnect with Adi on Twitter @AdirupaSenguptaFind out more about the Big Spark Cast.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 FellowshipOur 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.

Apply today: Cross-Sector Fellowship applications close on 7th March 2023"Our family is a mutual enterprise, it's a project we manage together, and it has to be given time and resource. We have to really clearly communicate that between us: is everyone happy with the time and resource that is going into that mutual project? "Joining Verena on the podcast this week are Catherine Muge and Dr Tom Bashford. Catherine is Director of Partnership Intelligence at UNICEF UK and Tom is Assistant Professor in Healthcare Systems, University of Cambridge and Consultant Neuroanaesthetist, Addenbrooke’s Hospital. Together, they are also raising two young boys.Tom and Catherine share their two experiences of Shared Parental Leave, as well as their views on the importance of role modelling equality for their sons.They discuss:how having children changed their perspective on the way they work, forcing them to be more strategic with their time and considerate of the family unit as a wholethe societal bias that still leads to assumptions of Catherine as the default caregiverthe importance of regular "moments of rebalancing" the caregiving burden.We hope you enjoy the 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 FellowshipOur 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.

Thinking about a career change?Today we are revisiting one of our most popular podcast episodes featuring Chief People & Culture Officer Geraldine Butler-Wright.Geraldine has juggled multiple senior leadership roles and navigated big career changes (including cross-sector), she is an advocate of finding a job that ignites our true passion. In this episode, she shares fantastic tips for working parents thinking about a career change.The discussion includes:Why it's important to find organisations who welcome fluidity in getting things doneWhy just saying 'yes' might be the best decision you ever makeHow to learn to sell yourself to a potential new employerHow to choose the right company for youHow to improve and then highlight your transferable skillsGeraldine's best advice for moving to an organisation with purposeAt the time of recording, Geraldine was Chief People & Culture Officer for Healthily but has since moved to the streaming platform StreamElements.She is also a Trustee,  Advisor and Strategic Advisor, as well as a Senior Leader Mentor on our award-winning Leaders Plus Fellowship Programme. She is a mother of two small children.Connect with Geraldine on LinkedIn here.Please find out more about the work of Leaders Plus, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programmes and our latest events by signing up to receive our emails at leadersplus.org.uk/newsletter.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 FellowshipOur 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 tables have turned in this week's episode.Host Verena Hefti MBE (CEO and Founder of social enterprise Leaders Plus) is interviewed by Leaders Plus Fellow Jemma Biteye on the practical ways to support equal career progression for working parents.Jemma and Verena discuss:what led to Verena setting up Leaders Plus to support parents progressing senior careershow to network when you don't have timeways to deal with heavy workloadpractical ways companies and individuals can support equal career progression of parents We hope you enjoy the conversation.Find out more about the work of Leaders Plus, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programmes and our latest events by signing up to receive our emails at leadersplus.org.uk/newsletter.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 FellowshipOur 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.

“Until you’re trying you just don’t look into fertility and you don’t understand where the fertility cliffs are and where the drop-offs start to happen.”Our guest today is Joanna Santinon, EY Ambassador, Non-Executive Director and Charity Trustee.Joanna bravely shares her personal fertility journey, including how she combined multiple rounds of IVF treatment alongside her demanding career as a partner at Ernst & Young. We discuss:What to know before you embark on IVFWhy compartmentalising really helped JoannaThe best piece of advice Joanna received Why having IVF didn’t affect her career What Joanna wishes she'd known in hindsight We hope you enjoy the conversation.Find out more about the work of Leaders Plus, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programmes and our latest events by signing up to receive our emails at leadersplus.org.uk/newsletter.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 FellowshipOur 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.

“Before Laura I really sat there waiting for opportunities. After Laura’s mentoring session that changed for me. I would actually go out and find them.”To celebrate International Mentoring Day (17 January 2023) we speak to Consultant Laura Harrison, a Senior Leader Mentor on the Leaders Plus Fellowship Programme, and her Mentee, Leaders Plus Fellow and U-Blox Principal Engineer Rajani Rao to find out what made their relationship so successful.We discuss:what it takes to make a mentoring relationship truly transformationalwhere to go to find Mentors why some conversations make a difference and others don'tWe hope you enjoy the conversation.Connect with Laura on LinkedIn. Connect with Rajani on LinkedInFind out more about the work of Leaders Plus, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programmes and our latest events by signing up to receive our emails at leadersplus.org.uk/newsletter.We are currently recruiting Senior Leader Mentors. Find out more.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 FellowshipOur 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 norm now in the UK is that we have working families but we don’t have a society that supports that.”Can a primary caring responsibility be equally shared between mothers and fathers? Our guest today is Tina Miller, Professor of Sociology at Oxford Brookes University and an expert in caring.Professor Miller shares how the responsibility for orchestrating the care of children often falls to mothers, and how, over time, this pattern becomes etched into the very fabric of family life. We discuss how primary caring responsibilities can be shared more equally between mums and dads (in heteronormative households), including examining: Contradictions we face as working parentsDealing with the mental loadProblems around shared parental leaveGuilt and expectationsWhat a healthy working environment could look like so both men and women could careLetting go so that fathers can take on more responsibilityWe hope you enjoy the 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 FellowshipOur 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.

“If we shift our thinking to a both/and approach it enables us to open up all kinds of different possibilities and to use these tensions as a source of creativity.”Today we are delighted to welcome Wendy K Smith to the podcast. Wendy is the Emma Smith Morris Professor of Management and academic director of the Women's Leadership Initiative at the University of Delaware's Lerner College of Business & Economics.  Wendy is also the co-author of the brilliant book Both/And Thinking, which challenges the perception that we have to choose between pursuing two things we love. Instead, the book sets out the ways that we can be both/and instead of either/or,  including providing tools for coping with multiple tensions at the same time.Wendy and Verena discuss both/and thinking in the context of progressing your career whilst enjoying your young family and share practical tips on focusing on the bigger picture goals and learning to find comfort in the discomfort.We hope you enjoy the conversation.  Find out more about Both/And thinking, including where to order a copy of the book via bothandthinking.net.Find out more about the work of Leaders Plus, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programmes and our latest events by signing up to receive our emails at leadersplus.org.uk/newsletter.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 FellowshipOur 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.

“If you are high performance you need empathy in your workplace!”Our guest today is Anita Nowak, an expert in empathy and author of the forthcoming book Purposeful Empathy: Tapping Our Hidden Superpower for Personal, Organisational, and Social Change.Anita is passionate about mentoring the next generation of changemakers and teaches leadership, ethics in management, and social entrepreneurship and innovation at McGill University.In this episode, we dive into empathy - a skill that post-pandemic has never been more critical for us at a personal level and as leaders in the workplace.  Anita shares with us the latest research on  why empathy  is crucial in organisations, how it contributes to our own personal well-being and happiness and why it's so much more than just the "touchy-feely stuff."We hope you enjoy the conversation. You can pre-order a copy of Anita's forthcoming book via Amazon. Find out more about the work of Leaders Plus, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programmes and our latest events by signing up to receive our emails at leadersplus.org.uk/newsletter.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 FellowshipOur 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.

“In our office, we don’t talk about work-life balance we talk about home-life balance.”Our guest today is Michelle Bradley, CEO of The Parent Rooms, a perinatal mental health charity where parents can access support and friendship who are based in Northern Ireland.Michelle launched The Parents Rooms after struggling with postnatal depression and feeling isolated and alone in the early years of parenthood. She shares with us everything she has learned as a courageous leader with a big career and small children. Including:Overcoming burnout and recognising the signs you need self-careDealing with postnatal depression and the importance of services for new mothersLeading an organisation with empathyFinding your identity outside of being a motherOvercoming confidence struggles and dealing with imposter syndromeWe hope you enjoy the conversation.Find out more about Michelle and the fantastic service offered by The Parent Rooms at https://www.theparentrooms.co.uk  If you're struggling with postnatal depression please seek help from your GP.Find out more about the work of Leaders Plus, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programmes and our latest events by signing up to receive our emails at leadersplus.org.uk/newsletter.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 FellowshipOur 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.

“Instead of waiting for someone else, we can each try and lead change from where we are.”Our guest today is Alex Budak, a social entrepreneur, UC Berkeley Haas faculty member, speaker and the author of the empowering book  Becoming a Changemaker. Alex believes anyone has the potential to lead change positive change. He talks us through his practical guide to becoming a changemaker, no matter where you are in an organisation.Including:The personality traits people who drive positive change have in commonHow to use the latest research to drive change for working parents in your organisationThe 5 superpowers of influencing and how to use themWe hope you enjoy the conversation.Find out more about Alex at www.alexbudak.com  For more information about the work of Leaders Plus, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programmes and our latest events by signing up to receive our emails at leadersplus.org.uk/newsletter.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 FellowshipOur 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.

TW: TFMR“Emma is very much part of the family, that was very important to me. I am a mother, I do have a child.”Today we welcome critically acclaimed comedian, writer and performer, Lou Conran. Lou had a termination for medical reasons  (TFMR) after finding out her daughter Emma had a rare medical condition which meant she would be unable to survive.  She bravely shares her personal story, including how she dealt with needing to keep earning money (as a comedian) in the midst of this heartbreaking experience and how family, friends and colleagues can support you if you're going through baby loss. For anyone who is going through a TFMR or dealing with baby loss, support can be found via www.tommys.org Thank you Lou for this inspiring conversation.Find out more about Lou, including details of her excellent Spit or Swallow podcast at www.louconran.com. For more information about about the work of Leaders Plus, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programmes and our latest events by signing up to receive our emails at leadersplus.org.uk/newsletter.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 FellowshipOur 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.

“It’s good for our children to see mothers as not just a parent but so much more than that. There are different facets to our identity and it’s healthy for kids to witness that.”Our guest today is Dr Martha Deiros Collado, a clinical psychologist specialising in family therapy and host of the brilliant podcast Talking Sense with Dr Martha.Leaders Plus Fellows tell us time and time again that they struggle with worrying about their children when they are at work and thinking about work when they are with the children.So how can working parents switch off and be truly present with their kids at home and vice versa, how can they go to work and not feel guilty about leaving their kids?Dr Martha shares fantastic, practical advice for working parents, including: 3 things every parent can do today to be more present with their childrenWhy your child needs meaningful connection and not necessarily hours of your timeHow to be focused at work without feeling guiltyHow to make children understand that you have to and want to workWe hope you enjoy our conversation.To find out more about Dr Martha head to her website at www.drmarthapsychologist.comFind out more about the work of Leaders Plus, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programmes and our latest events by signing up to receive our emails at leadersplus.org.uk/newsletterAre 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 FellowshipOur 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.

Gender equity can't happen without racial equity. We need Shared Sisterhood.Our guest today is Dr Beth A. Livingston, Associate Professor in Management and Entrepreneurship at the University of Iowa's Tippie College of Business. Beth's research interests lie primarily in gender, diversity, and the management of work and family. Her best-selling book, Shared Sisterhood is a blueprint for taking collective action for racial and gender equity in the workplace.Shared Sisterhood outlines how individuals from historically power-dominant and marginalized groups (such as ethnic minorities) must work together so that all women experience the benefits of professional growth and equity.We discuss:How Beth didn't initially get tenure whilst juggling work and family life Career and family negotiations in dual-career couplesHow to phrase difficult conversations with your partner (if you have one)Changing how we strive for equity in the workplaceHow to bridge the divide between women of all backgrounds through authentic relationshipsFollow Dr. Beth A Livingston on Twitter @BethALivingstonhttps://bethalivingston.comShow notes:The Second Shift - Anne Machung, Hilary Huber, Alie RussellShared Sisterhood - Tina Opie & Beth A LivingstonFind out more about the work of Leaders Plus, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programmes and our latest events by signing up to receive our emails at leadersplus.org.uk/newsletter.If you’d like to submit a question to the Big Careers, Small Children podcast please record it here https://www.speakpipe.com/BigCareersSmallChildrenAre 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 FellowshipOur 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.

“Progress, not perfection. That’s a bit of a mantra for our leadership team.”Our guest today is Angela McConville , CEO of the National Childbirth Trust (NCT), the UK’s largest charity for pregnancy, birth and early parenthood. Angela shares her honest reflections on motherhood, leadership and the importance of seeking progress not perfection. The conversation includes:Being an authentic leaderThe importance of realistic role modelsThe organisations who are supporting parents brilliantlyWhy it's important to have the right infrastructure to allow yourself to thriveManaging stress and looking after your whole selfAngela is also a Mentor on the Leaders Plus Fellowship programme and is a mother of two children aged 12 and 9. Follow her on Twitter @angelamcconvillWe hope you enjoy the conversation.Find out more about the work of Leaders Plus, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programmes and our latest events by signing up to receive our emails at leadersplus.org.uk/newsletter.If you’d like to submit a question to the Big Careers, Small Children podcast please record it here https://www.speakpipe.com/BigCareersSmallChildrenAre 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 FellowshipOur 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.