Pinnacle Living’s Post

When I was preparing to return to work from mat leave with my first baby, it was to a more junior role following redundancy. The role was breastfeeding policy advocacy - with a baby in tow this was suddenly a lot more personal! I love this chain Verena Hefti MBE FRSA has started to share stories for other returners. If you can ignore the 90s letter forwarding vibes - copy and paste the questions at the end and reshare this with your own advice and stories. Here are my answers: 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸? The value of paternity leave. I had this really strong maternal urge to take as much time as possible with my baby and really didn't want to 'give up' any of that by facilitating parental leave for the men. However, I can now see that we're not going to get equality for women without a shift for the dads. Ruairidh V. did some brilliant campaigning while we were at Save together to secure protected leave for partners, and The Dad Shift are making big waves right now. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗼 𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻? I did my second leave very differently. I was self-employed which played a big part in that, influencing what made financial sense, as well as designing the time differently. I 'went back' and started with some KIT days when my baby was three months old and it was great! My husband and I had an overlapping month of leave over Christmas, then I worked school-hours for four months while my husband took Shared Parental Leave. 𝗠𝘆 𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗶𝗽 Your kid will get sick, so plan before it happens. Juggling work around a sick child isn't always possible or the best for anyone (you or your workplace). So check your workplace policies, your partners or family members to see what support there is. Know your stuff on what actually requires a child to be off nursery (e.g. often if they're fine in themselves, no D&V or temperature they can go in! Hand, foot, and mouth is a common one to be off with but you don't have to be). Consider having a Sunday night check-in to compare diaries for the week ahead just in case. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶nsecurities did you have about returning to work? What to wear to the office! A whole year had passed, my body had changed beyond recognition, and last time I was there I had a lovely bump and comfy maternity clothes. My confidence was wobbly and I didn't feel like I had the usual office armour. Ok, your turn - here's the questions: 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸? 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗼 𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻? 𝗠𝘆 𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗶𝗽 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶nsecurities did you have about returning to work? 

When I was preparing to return from mat leave with my first baby to my Regional Director role at the charity Teach First, I felt daunted. Was it still possible to have a big senior career now I was a mother? This is one of the reasons I set up the Leaders Plus Fellowship https://lnkd.in/evHAciqK which now includes a version for managers and directors as well as senior directors/executive directors. It has helped over 500 working parents, whether they are on parental leave or have a child in year 6. Peer support is key to the Fellowship, so let’s share insights on returning to work after parental leave by answering the questions in bold below. Please reshare this post with your answers to create a helpful thread for others. I will make a start: 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸? I thought being out of work during maternity leave would make me worse at my job. But to the contrary, Leaders Plus has grown its impact and size each time I went on maternity leave. I have 3 kids now and Leaders Plus is global! This was because being away made me more strategic and made me sort the important stuff from the day to day noise. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗼 𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻? With my second baby, I worked with the baby on my lap during mat leave as Leaders Plus was too small to hire mat cover. I should have hired a nanny for those hours and prioritised my wellbeing. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸? I am not alone - returning to work is a transition and that is hard for a lot of people, but it gets better. 𝗠𝘆 𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗶𝗽 If your child starts nursery when you return to work, have a back up plan! Mine all picked up a bug in the first few weeks. In my case, my partner told his work that the baby was due to start nursery and he may need to take time out of work when the baby falls ill. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶insecurities did you have about returning to work? Can a senior career be done with baby in tow? I organised my first ever #leaderswithbabies event in the House of Commons where inspirational leaders such as Geraldine Strathdee Karen Blackett CBE or Funke Abimbola MBE with kids shared their stories. This was a key trigger to set up Leaders Plus to give others access similar access to senior leaders who had gone before them. Join us to get a supportive community, access to a mentor or coach and structured support on topics such as career development as a working parent, setting boundaries or finding a way to be present at home and work. Open to those with babies as well as those with older children. 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲: 𝟭 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 for our Senior Director Fellowship and Cross Sector Fellowship.

I had the privilege of attending the inaugural Relationships Across Difference Roundtable this week hosted by Harvard Business School, Wharton, and INSEAD. Here are some key takeaways: 1. Consistent collaboration between academic researchers and practitioners is crucial to an informed and effective DEI strategy. 2. Some DEI leaders are now collecting self-ID data beyond race, including faith, religion, and nationality. Widening our focus on demographics beyond race and gender. 3. Religion and faith in the workplace are emerging focus areas, requiring historical context for effective navigation. 4. With 60+ global elections in the next 12 months, politics is a significant topic for DEI leaders, particularly in global organizations. 5. The university affirmative action legal case hasn't changed corporate law (yet), but caution is leading some to halt DEI efforts out of fear. A memorable quote I heard: “Companies get sued all the time, for any and everything. What makes DEI any different? Just like we plan for the risk of lawsuits in other areas of our business, we can plan for the risk with DEI as well. If it’s important, we would plan for the risk and continue the work as we do with other areas of our business.” I couldn't agree more. In a nutshell, everyone in that room remains committed to ensuring our workplaces are inclusive and representative of our global diversity. With the support of academic researchers, we (practitioners) will forge on! A big thank you to Fareeda Griffith, Ph.D. and Stephanie Creary for facilitating a wonderfully impactful event. #DEI #Wharton #ProfessionalDevelopment #WorkplaceInclusion #Leadership #RADCoalition #INSEAD #HBS #equityandopportunity

🔥🔥🔥 2024 reminded me of a truth I've always known: the best leaders don't just create change - they empower others to become changemakers themselves. 🌟 This year marked a significant transition as I stepped into my new role at Vinnies QLD (shoutout at u&u. Recruitment Partners for helping this journey come to life and specifically Erica Brush who is just a #NextLevel executive support leader!!) But the real story isn't about position - it's about the incredible impact we're creating together. What have I learnt in this journey: • Expanded community engagement initiatives build sustainable development • Strengthened financial wellbeing programs help with a hand up and not just a handout!! • Built partnerships that amplify marginalized voices Looking ahead to 2025: My focus remains on building sustainable community programs that create lasting change. I want to work on expanding impact in education, employment, and financial wellbeing initiatives. I want to work with teams that create positive change and continue to inspire me every day. Together, we're not just serving communities - we're empowering them to write their own success stories. 🔥 P.S. When communities are equipped with the right tools and support, there's no limit to what they can achieve! #CommunityEngagement #SocialImpact #TransformationalLeadership #LinkedInRewind #2024WrappedUp

What an incredible gathering we had yesterday at the "Tenant Narratives: Unlocking the Power of Resident-Centric Leadership" roundtable. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us, both in person and online. Your engagement and insights truly brought this event to life. During the session, we acknowledged that strengthening trust and accountability at the board level is crucial for creating a transparent, resident-centric housing culture. We discussed practical engagement strategies, such as implementing flexible communication channels and respecting residents' privacy, which are vital for accommodating diverse lifestyles. Additionally, the session highlighted the significance of partnerships and progressive regulatory frameworks in expanding the scope and impact of community services, leading to more active and empowered resident involvement. A special thank you to our distinguished panelists, Fayann Simpson, OBE from L&Q, Steve Southwell from Worthing Homes, and Valerie Oldfield from Hexagon Housing Association. Your expertise in fostering resident-centric leadership within the housing sector provided invaluable perspectives that deeply enriched our dialogue.     Our appreciation also goes to Kam Basra of Home Connections, who chaired the roundtable with exceptional skill, ensuring a smooth and productive dialogue. These insights mark the beginning of our continued efforts to innovate and enhance housing communities through collaborative leadership. We are eager to build on the momentum from this roundtable and implement the strategies discussed. Be involved in the conversations that really matter. For more information on membership and our upcoming programmes, please email us at membership@connexleadershipnetworks.co.uk #ConnexLeadershipNetwork #ConnexRoundtable #TenantNarratives #AffordableHousing #CommunityEngagement #LeadershipInnovation #ResidentCentric 

It’s been over 2.5 years since I became CEO for RMHCSC. Recently, younger professionals have asked me, "How did you know you were ready for this job?" The truth is, I didn’t. Despite nearly two decades of nonprofit leadership experience, applying for this role was the boldest vote of confidence in myself. When talking to these talented young people, I share these insights: 1. Know yourself and be resourceful. Even with years of experience, I had fears and doubts. Knowing my strengths and shortcomings, and being committed to personal growth, helped me overcome these. Excellence isn't about perfection but knowing when and who to ask for help. 2. Embrace failure to move forward. Avoiding hard things due to fear of failure limits growth. Mistakes lead to innovation and brilliance. I encourage my team to take risks, fail fast, and learn quickly. It's not about the fall but how we rebound. 3. Know whose opinion matters. As Don Miguel Ruiz’s “The Four Agreements” states: "Don’t Take Anything Personally." Higher positions attract more scrutiny. Stay grounded in self-awareness and don’t let others' opinions define your self-worth. It can take us off course from fulfilling our vision. Surround yourself with supportive people who offer constructive feedback from a place of love. This is especially important for women, women of color, and working mothers who are often held to higher standards. I hope these learnings inspire dialogue. How would you answer this question? Thanks for joining the conversation. #Leadership #LatinaCEO #CEOontheGo #NonprofitLeadership #CareerGrowth #PersonalGrowth #KnowYourWorth #ProfessionalDevelopment #CEOJourney #WomenInLeadership #Inspiration #Dialogue #RMHCSC #RMHC

Living My Best Life: A Journey of Purpose, Resilience, and Connection “Living Our Best Lives,” is for me a mindset. “Living my best life” often evokes images of success, relaxation, and comfort, yet it’s much more nuanced. It’s about finding purpose, empowering others, and choosing daily actions that create meaningful impact to the people & community around us. In the 18 months since establishing PHOENIXUS, I’ve seen this philosophy brought to life. We celebrate senior women leaders who have overcome hurdles & shaped their paths, leading with purpose & resilience. Whether through our five pillars—Self Care & Mental Health, Personal & Professional Development, Financial Health, Nurturing Future Leaders & Supporting the Community—each initiative aims to lift one another up. We champion a way of living that combines personal growth with a commitment to supporting others, a philosophy that I believe forms the foundation of Living Our Best Lives. I’ve seen how small actions can change lives, from mentoring sessions, self care, personal growth and development to supporting the underprivileged. Living my best life means for me recognizing that our journeys are interwoven, that my success is uplifted by the support I give and receive. Each of us can create ripples of positive impact & in this connectedness, we find strength. In the spirit of Living Our Best Lives, I challenge each of us to ask: how can we live with more purpose? What small action today can make someone’s tomorrow brighter? Whether through professional mentorship, acts of kindness, or reaching for personal goals, we each have the power to shape our lives and our communities. Let’s make that choice every day. #LivingOurBestLives #PurposefulLiving #Phoenixus #MakingAnImpact

Starting off our first Monday of September by sharing a great, balanced view about Harnessing the Gains of Age to be a Better Leader, by Forbes! Particularly interesting was how aging may decrease the efficiency of the alerting network, but improves executive functioning. Increased executive functioning helps senior professionals set long-term goals and objectives for the team effectively. They are also better at conflict resolution, “detecting errors”, and giving developmental feedback. Senior professionals have also had the runway to build the confidence that comes with experience. Been there, done that - having been through numerous ups and downs, they are less phased by challenges at the workplace. It is also extremely gratifying for senior professionals to act as mentors to their younger teammates. They can offer interpersonal guidance, explain processes quickly and help make valuable connections to boost opportunities for all. Forbes ends their thought piece well, with a quote by Abraham Lincoln: “In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment below 😊💭 Full Article here: https://lnkd.in/gE8uA9ft

Join me and other panelist for an important conversation about balance and fulfillment!

In his latest Forbes blog, David Michels offers a fresh perspective on how businesses can approach the most important questions to consider for leadership appointments.