Big Careers, Small Children

“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 promoted
• Whether organisations should have high potential lists
• Whether women actually have lower confidence than men when it comes to career progression
• Gender differences in senior roles
• Why it’s good to share you have care responsibilities at interview stage
• The 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 Makers
This 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 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 poorly
• How to make tough decisions and look after yourself when your child is struggling
• How to carve out time that’s for you
• Why 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/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.

"Children are not going to come to any harm because you work full time," says our guest today Wendy Merricks.

Wendy is the CEO and Founder of Jumar, a group of companies in the IT sector and a Senior Leader Mentor on the Leaders Plus Fellowship Programme.

Growing up in inner-city Birmingham in a working-class family, Wendy has worked hard to get to the most senior positions, always believing that she was capable of anything she put her mind to.

A mother of two boys (now in their 20s) born in quick succession, Wendy has always worked full-time whilst ensuring that when she is with the children, she is truly present.

She is a passionate advocate that having children should not be a career inhibitor and her company, Jumar, prides itself on looking out for employees and ensuring workers have a good work-life balance.

We discuss:

• Why working full time will not harm your children
• Practical tips if you're struggling with self-belief
• Why setting goals and taking small steps can lead to big positive changes
• IVF and why it's important to engage your employer and ask for support

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/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.

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by your conflicting priorities?
Our guest today is Suzy Reading, a Chartered Psychologist, author and specialist in self care and well being.
Suzy knows the science behind well being and shares how, as busy working parents, we can look after ourselves when under pressure without feeling like it's something else we need to tick on our to-do list.
We discuss:

• Why self care is actually health care
• How to practically put yourself first (or at least make sure it's you as well!)
• Why self care doesn't have to be like you see on Instagram
• The importance of green gazing and what it does for your nervous system
• 3 simple things we can all do to help restore our energy levels when overwhelmed

Connect with Suzy:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suzyreading
Website: https://www.suzyreading.co.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.

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.

“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 first
• What has changed for working parents in the last 30 years, particularly in the NHS
• How to approach difficult conversations by being human
• Guilt and judgement of working parents
• The transformative power of coaching

Show Notes:

• Employee Engagement & NHS Performance Read the article by Michael West & Jeremy Dawson here
• Personality test: Myers-Briggs Personality Test Find out more
• Free Coaching for NHS Scotland Staff 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.