Managing your career through parenthood
Thu 08 October 2009
, Chris Parke, Talking Talent
We often hear about women struggling to maintain the momentum of their careers through parenthood. The transition through maternity and the return to work can be fraught with anxieties and a feeling of not being in control.
A successful maternity transition means working alongside your stakeholders as well as having an individual strategy to keep your career momentum going.
Laying the groundwork
There are plenty of ways to begin the maternity transition in a positive way, which will help make things easier down the line. Below are some tips to keep in mind in the initial stages:
- Communication
When announcing your pregnancy think about what impact it will have on you and your ideal outcome. Decide who the key people are to communicate with and what it is they need to know. Be sure to do this with plenty of time! Think about what the impact will be on them and how this will be managed - be honest, positive and professional.
- Handover
This is vital! Make sure you think about the logistics of this and start the process as early as possible. Ensure you are heavily involved as it will help the transition to be much smoother.
Use your time wisely
Plan how you will communicate with work whilst on maternity leave; coming back for team/client meetings or ‘Keeping in Touch’ days can make all the difference to your return. Also, be clear that your leave is temporary and discuss how you will get your work back once you return. Discussing your career with your manager or having a review before you leave will also help manage expectations and keep your progression at the forefront - don’t forget to keep informed about potential pay reviews and promotions.
The juggling act between work and life can be challenging. Prior to your return think through childcare options and discuss with friends and colleagues what has worked for them. Be realistic about your expectations and manage others’. Once back, be sure to start the way you mean to go on; set clear boundaries, but be flexible when you can.
Look at the long term
An important change has taken place and there will be practical and emotional effects; by recognising this you can begin to put some measures in place to minimise the impact. Examine your different roles:
- What values and which identities are important to you?
- What aspirations do you have? How will you achieve them?
- Where are the conflicts of interest?
- What’s the ideal balance and how will you manage this? What compromises are you willing/not willing to make?
It is important to manage key stakeholder relationships and sponsors throughout this career stage; keeping people on board is essential to managing your image as a professional working mother and creating a balance you are happy with. Understand your audience and their unconscious biases, empathise with them, but manage your boundaries with confidence by being clear and honest. Make sure what you are proposing is commercially sound and realistic – manage your own expectations.
Creating a network of support outside of work will be infinitely useful - don’t be afraid to ask for help. Also, think about the balance between you and your partner; how do your plans fit together and how will you support each other?
The business case
Finally - don’t be apologetic all the time! Don’t forget that you are an asset to your organisation; there are benefits not only for you, but also for the company to keep you progressing.
Chris Parke, Director of Talking Talent
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