Working Mothers Show They’re Still Players

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

I’ve been casting my mind back to all the people I was in touch with during the writing of Mothers Work! Samantha was/is an HR manager, one of the first contributors to my book and a woman intent on developing her career. One of Samantha’s first comments to me described how she felt she was being sidelined at work since adding parenting to her skill set. This being the time of year for re-writing performance development plans and signing off last year’s I thought sharing some ideas on showing your colleagues you’re still a player could be useful and inspiring. Do let me know what you think...

Opportunities

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Do you know how amazing your mind is? How awesome you are? Yes, you are astonishing. How about that as a welcome to January? (But no, this isn’t a celebration of how well you did managing all those people, presents, palaver and general overwhelm at Christmas – although I’m sure you’re very deserving of praise on that front too). It’s astounding what complex things your brain undertakes every day and in this short Flourishing Female mailing I’d like to showcase just one of your mind’s extraordinary talents: its ability to pick up on opportunities around you to help you...

When Giving Up is Good

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

‘Quitting’ is probably not something you’d expect me to talk about in glowing terms – unless of course we’re talking dirty habits – but that’s where we’re at in this month’s Flourishing Female column. (I realise I have published a book that advocates not changing one’s bed sheets too often so you may be disinclined to let me be the judge of what is and is not a ‘dirty’ habit. I love a fresh bed as much as the next woman but it’s a lot of hard work changing three or four beds every seven days isn’t it?) Last month...

5000 mentors or free childcare?

Saturday, November 5, 2011

UK Home Secretary Teresa May has to be applauded for continuing to bang her drum for women despite her (male) colleagues’ attempts to do away with policies that would help women get back into employment and do more whilst they’re there. (That’s Steve Hilton I’m thinking about). Among the stats Ms May revealed in her speech on 4/11/11 on women and the economy there were three stunners: 700,000 women are ‘stuck’ in part time work despite wanting to do more hours Women’s unemployment is costing the UK economy up to £21B/year in lost skills 5000 business...

Mums Returning to Work

Maternity Comeback Coaching

I help mums who are planning on or thinking about going back to work, make a smooth return. As the author of Mothers Work! and a working mother of two young children I appreciate the mixture of guilt, fogginess, apprehension and excitement you might be feeling at the moment. I’ve made two successful career comebacks after each of my children and it’s that personal experience combined with seven years coaching experience and the research knowledge from writing Mothers Work!... Read More

Women Starting Businesses

Coaching Fledgling Business Women

Going freelance and starting a business can be like a love affair – passionate, exciting and all-consuming. After the buzzy honeymoon period of the first 3-6 months where you’ve been experimenting with marketing tactics and enjoying the general thrill of being your own boss it’s not uncommon to feel a bit flat, unsure or overwhelmed. [...]

Stepping Up Your Career

Coaching for Career Clarity

Hankering after a career shift upwards, sideways or just anywhere other than where you are right now…but feeling desperately immobile? I coach women through the swirl of career ideas dancing round their heads and accelerate their shift up the ladder or into something satisfyingly new. Confidence grows, focus is found and the resolve to succeed [...]