Our guest today is charity CEO Dhivya O'Connor.Dhivya is currently Interim CEO of the youth mentoring charity, The Girls’ Network and has previously served in the CEO role for organisations including United World Schools, Chartered Institute of Fundraising and Children with Cancer UK.  She is also a Senior Leader Mentor on the Leaders Plus Fellowship Programme, supporting women returning to work after having children, in progressing their careers.Prior to joining the third sector, she held various strategy, business development and leadership roles in large corporates. A mother of two young children, Dhivya chats to Verena Hefti MBE about what it takes to become a charity CEO when you're a parent. She also shares the reality of moving from the corporate sector to the charity sector and what to do to get a high quality Mentor when you need it most.We hope you enjoy the conversation. Follow Dhivya on Twitter @DhivyaOConnorDhivya is also the creator and executive producer of The Charity CEO Podcast, sharing insight into the challenges faced by charity leaders. You can listen to Verena Hefti MBE and CEO of ReachOut UK, Bejal Shah, discussing Mentoring on a forthcoming episode of The Charity CEO Podcast released on 05 December 2022. 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.

“You try to learn to make peace with the mother you are not and embrace the mother that you are.”Our guest today is Clarissa Ward, a multi-award-winning war reporter and CNN's Chief International Correspondent.For over 15 years Clarissa has been reporting from front lines around the world, including Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and Ukraine.Her incredible memoir ‘On All Fronts: The Education of a Journalist’ is a captivating read and details Clarissa’s life in journalism covering conflicts.Now a mother of two young boys aged 2 and 4, Clarissa juggles life on the front line with raising her young family. She talks to Verena about how life has changed since becoming a mum and what it’s really like to work as an international war correspondent with a toddler in tow.They discuss:Societal expectations of mothersMotherhood guilt and everything inbetweenWorking in a job rooted in purposeTips for travelling internationally when you have a young familyThe reality of parenthoodWe hope you enjoy the conversation. Find out more about Clarissa's brilliant book On All Fronts here.For more information about Leaders Plus, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programmes and our latest events sign 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.

I don’t think anybody’s life is quite as smooth sailing as social media would have us believe.”This week in support of World Mental Health Day (Monday 10 October) we welcome Clinical Psychologist Professor Roz Shafran, co-author of the brilliant book “How to Cope When Your Child Can’t”.Parenthood can often be far from smooth sailing, especially if your child is unwell, experiencing challenges or has additional needs. So how can parents juggling work and raising their family ensure they look after their own mental health and thrive during these difficult times?Roz and Verena talk honestly about strategies to help parents cope and Verena shares her personal story of managing being a CEO whilst her young son was admitted to the hospital 7 times over a 6 month period.They cover:What to do with your big career aspirations when your child is poorlyHow to make tough decisions and look after yourself when your child is strugglingHow to carve out time that’s for youWhy what works isn’t one size fits all‘Mustabation’ and why it will grind you down We hope you enjoy the conversation. Remember, speaking out about your struggles isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of strength. Support can be found via Mind.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.

"In practice there’s always a bit of wriggle room for individual discussions and individual negotiations about pay."This week we are joined by pay expert, lecturer, HR leader and Leaders Plus Fellowship Alumni Dr Lisa Grover.Lisa is a Senior Lecturer in Degree Apprenticeships at the University of Exeter Business School and is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to practical advice on  preparing for negotiations on pay.Our conversation includes:Tips on preparing well for pay negotiationsHer experience sitting in the HR ChairThe different pay structures within organisations Why in practice there’s often wriggle room for individual discussions Why you’re in a strong position when you enter a new company Retention payments: what are they and how to get them Why doing your research makes a big difference Going down to 4 days for the same level of pay Where to look for up-to-date pay informationMaking use of your networksWe 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.

How can you juggle your senior career when your children are born prematurely?Our guest this week is Lucy McAuliffe, Stations and Security Director at Network Rail and parent to 5-year-old twins and a 16-month toddler. Lucy and her wife's twins arrived 8 weeks earlier than planned, not long after Lucy had started a new senior position. She shares: The reality of having premature childrenWhy the discretionary support you're given at work can make all the difference Advice on moving from 2 to 3 childrenWorking full time and managing perceptions at school drop offDealing with assumptions when you're in a same-sex coupleHow being a parent gives you a different lens on leadership  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.If you’d like to submit a question to the Big Careers, Small Children podcast please record it here https://www.speakpipe.com/BigCareersSmallChildrenListen now in iTunes | 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.

"We’ve been working with NHS England who last year made a huge policy shift in the NHS to make flexible working a day one employment right and to make roles flexible by default."Joining us for the 100th episode of Big Careers, Small Children is change-maker Kate Jarman, co-founder of Flex NHS and Director of Corporate Affairs at Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.Kate founded Flex NHS alongside Asha Cowey in 2018 with the mission to make flexible working more accessible to the 1.5 million staff working in the NHS. Flex NHS champions flex for all, and promotes a better work/life balance as a vital part of recruiting and retaining NHS staff now and in the future. We discuss:The catalyst for starting Flex NHSHow through Flex NHS Kate and Aasha have built a movement for change in flexible working that has completely changed national policy Why you should be less transactional and more authentic at work How Kate juggles being a campaigner alongside working full-time in her NHS roleWhy it's a myth that if you work part-time or flexibly in the NHS you can't progress your careerWe hope you enjoy the conversation. Find out more about Flex NHS on Twitter @FlexNHSFind out more about the work of Leaders Plus, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programmes (applications for the NHS Fellowship closes 17/10) 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.

What if being lucky wasn’t just by chance but a skill that you could master? Our guest this week is Dr. Christian Busch, the best-selling author of Connect the Dots: The Art and Science of Creating Good Luck and a Professor at New York University.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 livesHow to build a muscle so we can be better prepared for the unexpectedHow to address self-limiting beliefsHow we can leverage the superpower of extroverts to our advantageConnect with Christian on Twitter @ChrisSerendipFind 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.

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 wiselyTips on changing sectors, particularly when looking for something family-friendly Guilt and setting boundariesBalancing international travel when you are a working parent  How is hiring different for senior rolesPlus plenty of interview tipsWe 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.

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)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.

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 leaderWhy you should dial back productivityHow to radically increase your attention spanThe best way to build trust with the people you lead We hope you enjoy the conversation.Find out more about the work of Leaders Plus, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programme and our latest events by signing up to receive our emails at leadersplus.org.uk/newsletter.Participate in the Elevate Compassion Coalition on the first Friday of every month at 10.30am CT.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.

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.We hope you enjoy the conversation. Find out more about the work of Leaders Plus, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programme 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.

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.Find out more about the work of Leaders Plus, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programme 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.

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 purposeChallenging sexism, racism and misogyny in the workplaceSetting boundariesRecovering from perfectionism and why good enough is okayIdentifying when you're in flow and finding happinessWe hope you enjoy the episode. Find out more about Alice Kan at www.kandoventures.com Find out more about the work of Leaders Plus, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programme 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.

"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 childrenPractical tips if you're struggling with self-beliefWhy setting goals and taking small steps can lead to big positive changesIVF and why it's important to engage your employer and ask for supportFind out more about the work of Leaders Plus, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programme 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.

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 hoursHow to set boundaries at workHow to communicate with your line manager and team about your working hoursHow to build trust in organisationsHow to learn to be truly present with your kidsWhy you can't do everything for everybodyWhy having work email on your personal phone isn't recommendedGuy 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.Find out more about the work of Leaders Plus, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programme and our latest events by signing up to receive our emails at leadersplus.org.uk/newsletter.Show Notes:Book - 4000 Weeks and How to Use them (Oliver Burkeman)Podcast - Big Careers, Small Children Episode 38 (Chris Bryant)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.

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 careHow 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 InstagramThe importance of green gazing and what it does for your nervous system3 simple things we can all do to help restore our energy levels when overwhelmedConnect with Suzy:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suzyreadingWebsite: https://www.suzyreading.co.ukFind out more about the work of Leaders Plus, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programme 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.

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 childrenThings learned from raising children that actually help in leadership Why you should mention the things you’ve learned as a parent in a job interviewUsing anger at the system and charged emotions to make a change How to progress your career even if other people tell you not toThe 3 things Christina would advise her own daughter Find out more about Christina and her work here: www.college-m.ch Find out more about the work of Leaders Plus, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programme 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.

Do you ever struggle with saying no at work?Our guest today is Laurie Weingart, Professor of Organisational Behaviour at Carnegie Mellon University and Co-Author of the brilliant book No Club: Putting a Stop to Women’s Dead-End Work, she is an expert at saying no. 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 nowhy unrewarded work is more likely to fall to women why saying no is actually crucial for promotionthe 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 loveConnect with Laurie and find out more about the No Club at www.thenoclub.com.  Find out more about the work of Leaders Plus, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programme 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.

'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 expectationsHow 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 likeThe huge pressure faced by dads who are the main breadwinner but who also want to be present parentsThis was such a powerful and valuable conversation and we hope you enjoy it.You can find out more about the Inspiring Dads platform at www.inspiringdads.co.uk. Connect with Ian on LinkedIn and Twitter. Find out more about the work of Leaders Plus, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programme 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.

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 businessHow parenthood can benefit you in business 'Feminine' business traits and why they are essential skillsWhy it's critical our children witness their parents sharing the load Challenging societal pressures around female CEOs and driving for equality at homeWhy you don't need to run your business like The Apprentice or Dragon's DenWe end with three tips for anyone thinking about starting their own business.Find out more about the work of Leaders Plus, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programme 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.

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 bulliedWhere you can go for support for yourself and your childrenWhy 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 parentsSelf care tips and why this is so importantConnect with Lauren on LinkedIn.Follow Kidscape on Twitter @Kidscape and find out more about their essential work at www.kidscape.org.uk. Find out more about the work of Leaders Plus, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programme and our latest events by signing up to receive our emails at leadersplus.org.uk/newsletter.    PODCAST RESOURCES:BOOK: The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk RESOURCE: Suzy Reading APP:  Calm App for Mindfulness BULLYING SUPPORT IN THE WORKPLACE: AcasBULLYING SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN: Kidscape If you'd like to submit a question to the Big Careers, Small Children podcast please record it here https://www.speakpipe.com/BigCareersSmallChildren 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.

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 neededWorking flexibly in a senior roleWhy having half days off never works Getting over the idea that we have to work and be present all the timeSetting effective boundaries that work for you Burn out  and reaching out if you're struggling Why we all need to take more rest snacks3 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. Connect with Amy on Twitter @amylwgibbs Find out more about the work of Leaders Plus, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programme 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.

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 careerReturning to work to a new senior position Juggling the mental loadBeing 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.Find out more about the work of Leaders Plus, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programme 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.

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 genderWhat can we all do to deal with this authority gap in day-to-day lifeHow can we change things for future generations Mary Ann's book The Authority Gap is available via her website maryannsieghart.com. Connect with Mary Ann on Twitter @masieghartFind out more about the work of Leaders Plus, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programme 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.

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 YESDealing with rejection and re-framing noWhy human connection is so integral to decision makingHow 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. Connect with Vanessa on LinkedIn and Twitter. Find out more about the work of Leaders Plus, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programme and our latest events by signing up to receive our emails at leadersplus.org.uk/newsletter.   Show Notes:[BOOK] Zoe Chance - Influence is Your Super Power Listen now in iTunes | 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.

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 someParenting without family support nearbyHow to stop comparing yourself to othersThe 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 the brilliant Mums in Marketing community at www.mumsinmarketing.netConnect with Claire Ferreira on LinkedIn here. 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.Show Notes:If you are struggling with your mental health please reach out for help. The NHS have useful information here. [BOOK] The book mentioned was 'Connect' by Carole Robin. You can pick up a copy 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.

Our guest this week is Dr. Heejung Chung, Professor of Sociology and Social Policy at the University of Kent and the author of the excellent and thought-provoking book The Flexibility Paradox.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 stigmaWhy 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 Heejung on Twitter @HeejungChungFollow 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.Show notes:[BOOK] Alex Pang - Rest 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.

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 childrenHow to position your flexible working request in the NHS (or any other organisation)How to deal with individuals who are against flexible workingWhy we need more work-life harmony How to silence your inner criticWhy it's critical you find your tribeWhy 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.Connect with Jane on LinkedIn here and find out more about her work supporting women with Quiet the Hive.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 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.

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 decisionsWhy family will always come first Working part-time in a senior positionImposter syndrome and why everyone has itHow to become a CEOThe skills you need when going for the most senior positionsPeople pleasing and how to combat itBalancing the mental load and the power of structured conversationsPerfectionism and being kind to yourself We hope you enjoy this week's conversation.Connect with Vicky on LinkedIn here and find out more about the work of The Supreme Court.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.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 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.

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 careerImposter syndrome and how to overcome itHow to build your confidence at workBringing your whole self to work Speaking without emotion about pay risesMoving to China for her career Why Colart are champions of flexible workingJane 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. 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.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 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.

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 helpHow to achieve true equal parentingWhy you need to have open conversations about parenting before becoming a parentToxic 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. Connect with Elliott on LinkedIn and on Twitter at @iamElliottRaePlus head to www.musicfootballfatherhood.com to buy the book and access more resources. 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.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 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.

"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 partnerThe 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 workThe best way to structure your working week with your partnerThe tools Hannah and Rachel use to revolutionise their handoversWhether job sharers should expect to take a pay cutHow to convince your organisation that job sharing worksThe latest stats around job sharing successThe resources that can support you in your job shareWe hope you enjoy the conversation.Follow The Job Share Pair on Instagram and on LinkedIn.Other resources mentioned in this episode for job sharers:RoleshareFlexible Working PeopleDaisy ChainInvesting in Women 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.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? 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 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.Connect with Gabriel on LinkedIn here.Follow Leaders Plus on Twitter @leaders_plus  and find out more about our work, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programme here. 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? 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.

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 careersThe difference between mastery and autonomyHow 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.You can connect with Sharath via Twitter @sharathjeevan_ or LinkedIn. His book Intrinsic is available now.Follow Leaders Plus on Twitter @leaders_plus  and find out more about our work, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programme here. 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? 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.

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.Follow Leaders Plus on Twitter @leaders_plus  and find out more about our work, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programme here. 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? 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.

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:Dr Suhana Ahmed - Consultant Psychiatrist, Old Age at South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS TrustVicky Fox - CEO, The Supreme Court of the United KingdomSusannah Hardyman - CEO, Action TutoringLaura Harrison - Co-Founder at The Human Change AgencyPoppy Jaman OBE - CEO, City Mental Health Alliance To download our practical workbook on setting boundaries head to our website www.leadersplus.org.uk/boundaries/ Follow Leaders Plus on Twitter @leaders_plus  and find out more about our work, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programme here. Please remember to rate, review, and subscribe and share with any friends, family, or colleagues who may benefitAre 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.

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 optionWhen it's time to seek outside support from counselling How to make sure you're present with your partnerWays to share the mental loadHow 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 benefitAre 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.

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 careerRecognise and successfully navigate changeDeal with challenges like a ‘bad’ managerDefine your own work-life rhythmEnjoy 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.Follow Leaders Plus on Twitter @leaders_plus  and find out more about our work, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programme here. 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? 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.

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 chooseWhat Sylvia has learned about negotiationSylvia'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.Follow Leaders Plus on Twitter @leaders_plus  and find out more about our work, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programme here. Please remember to rate, review, and subscribe and share with any friends, family, or colleagues who may benefit.Show Notes:The Authority Gap - Mary Ann SieghartAre 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.

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. Follow Leaders Plus on Twitter @leaders_plus  and find out more about our work, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programme here. Please remember to rate, review, and subscribe and share with any friends, family, or colleagues who may benefit.#EqualPayDay 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.

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 doneWhy just saying 'yes' might be the best decision you ever make How 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 purposeEnjoy 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 #LeadersWithBabiesFind out more about Leaders Plus, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programme here. 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? 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.

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 weaponsThe 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 How to practically network via LinkedInLee's top 3 tips for diverse networking If you'd like to get in touch with Lee directly then you can connect with him on LinkedIn here. Follow Leaders Plus on Twitter @leaders_plus #LeadersWithBabies Find out more about Leaders Plus, including details of our award-winning Fellowship Programme here. 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? 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.

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 youAre 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.

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 guiltAre 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.

 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 inclusiveAre 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.

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 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 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 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.

Reverend Carla Maurer, from The Swiss Church London, discusses developing purpose, how to set boundaries and offers top tips for prioritising yourself. 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.