In this conversation, Fiona, a Managing Director and Independent Non-Executive Director, discusses her experience as a working mother. She shares insights into her career path, the importance of role models, and the challenges of balancing work and family life. Fiona also reflects on attitudes towards pregnant women in the workplace and the changing role of fathers. She highlights the need for flexible parental leave options and the impact of parenting decisions such as having a nanny and choosing whether to breastfeed on returning to work. In this conversation, Fiona discusses various aspects of parenting, decision-making, vulnerability, and work-life balance. She emphasizes the importance of personal choice in parenting and advises that you are best placed to make decisions about your own family and that once a decision is made, be confident in sticking to it and ignore perceived judgment from others. She also reflects on the vulnerability experienced when returning to work after maternity leave and the need for support and understanding in the workplace. Fiona shares her experience of taking a role abroad and the challenges and rewards it brings to her family. Finally, she highlights the importance of appreciating individuals for their unique contributions and avoiding assumptions based on personal experiences.
00:00 Introduction and Family Dynamics
02:33 Career Path and Parenthood
09:30 Transitioning to Parenthood
11:48 Maternity Leave and Returning to Work
18:14 The Importance of Role Models
23:01 Attitudes Towards Pregnant Women in the Workplace
29:18 Supportive Family and Role Models
37:53 The Changing Role of Dads
42:08 Flexible Parental Leave
43:08 Challenges of Breastfeeding and Returning to Work
44:17 Different Approaches to Parenting
45:18 Limited Reading and Personal Parenting Advice
46:15 Vulnerability and Decision-Making
48:21 Self-Doubt and Delegating Responsibilities
50:31 Taking a Role Abroad
52:34 Balancing Work and Family Life
56:17 Appreciating Individuals and Avoiding Assumptions