What I’m taking from my maternity leave back into the workplace

I’m now three months into my return to work following maternity leave and find myself trying to reconnect virtually with colleagues old and new. Never in a million years did I think my return to work would be in the middle of a global pandemic, with Zoom being the most talked about platform and most meetings spent trying not to get distracted by the décor in colleague’s bedrooms.

Besides being beyond grateful for the safe arrival of our ‘bundle of joy’ and thankful that I work for an employer with a good maternity leave policy (both of which I consider to be a huge privilege), I’m also thankful that I’m returning to work with my team. Rob, Phoebe and Shani have provided me with stability, support, brain power (for when I felt like I’d lost mine) and good banter as I re-join at what feels like a bizarre time and a very different business for a whole heap of reasons.

As someone passionate about what I do - I help brands thrive by doing good - I found the initial transition away from the workplace tough. As I waited for our stubborn and snug baby to arrive 14 days’ late I found myself sitting with my work phone beside me trying to adjust to my new key deliverable.

I’m now on the other side of the sleepless nights (well, let’s be clear I’m not sure they will ever go!) and first big milestones, and find myself reflecting on what maternity leave taught me about myself and what learnings I’m taking back into the workplace as a result.

1. Team play: I thrive on other people’s energy and ideas - to me, team success far outweighs individual success. Those first few months on maternity leave were lonely at times and made me realise just how much energy I get from being surrounded by other like-minded people. As I (virtually) re-join the workplace, I’m doubling my efforts to connect with people who can provide me with that energy each day. I’ve found this takes perseverance and I am certainly missing the coffee queue gossip – there’s definitely a difference between being on video calls all day which are more task-focused, than the physical office set up where you catch people throughout the day. I’m all for embracing working from home, but this has certainly made it harder to adjust and pick up where I left off and get my head round the changes.

2. Continuous feedback matters especially when something is unfamiliar: As I navigated my way through those early motherhood months I often found myself unsure and unsettled. Was I feeding my baby enough? Was my baby getting enough sensory stimulation? When friends and family took the time to sincerely say ‘good job’ it meant the world to me. Logically you can see your baby grow and smile but at times you don’t feel like you’re doing a good job - these comments go a long way. I’m committing to telling my colleagues more frequently what I think, as I’ve been reminded that it’s either really helpful advice or often goes a long way in making you feel great and therefore achieve a better outcome. I’ve also committed to provide feedback where I think it’s needed to improve the experience for others. I did this with the hospital I gave birth in and have also provided constructive views on the maternity leave experience I received from my employer – both of which were welcomed and change has happened as a result. After all, nothing ever changes for the next person unless you speak out.

3. Consistency matters: Whether it be nap times, bath time or whatever routine we found ourselves in, without doubt being consistent (and calm) matters when establishing and modelling behaviours for your child. It enables your baby to calm down, feel safe and know what to expect. I think the same applies in the workplace - being consistent with team meeting structures, or turning up on time for meetings or simply how you work all matters. I’m much more conscious of this as a result.

4. Positive change starts at home: While I’m in a job focused on creating positive change for people and the planet, I’ve been reminded that the best way to create sustainable change is to start at home. My biggest opportunity to create positive change now comes, I believe, from the things I teach my son and the change he will go onto be inspired to make in his lifetime. At least that’s what I tell myself when I pile high his buggy full of food donations from our road that we collect for our volunteering each Wednesday. Modelling behaviour is important and change comes from small steps – I’m aware of this both as a leader and as a mother. Enabling people - and customers - to mobilise around a big vision is important but you’ve got to show them how.

5. Every phase is temporary: As soon as you crack one routine with your baby you’re onto the next. I soon realised that you have to enjoy what you can because before you know it, it will all be different again. The same goes for work, change in a big organisation is part and parcel of what you sign up for, so I think the trick has to be to enjoy the present – to look for the good, to learn from the bad days and the days that are total chaos. At least that’s what I keep telling myself when he continues to drop food on the floor. Before I know it, I’ll be looking back and wishing I had this time again, and it’s the same with work as colleagues come and go. Celebrate today and the good old days in equal measure.

I am pretty sure I was mindful of this before I went on maternity leave, but time away from the office has definitely made me reflect and refocus. I’ve found a new respect for parents in the workplace and become more acutely aware of being a more compassionate leader. These are the lessons I’ll probably have to remind myself not to forget in the months to come. I’d like to encourage other parents and future parents to share their experience of going on leave, having children, returning to work and everything in between – this has enabled me to reflect on how I’ve returned to work and I hope, in time, it will serve as a source of comfort or reflection for others as they go through the same experience.

In short, if you know someone just heading off on or just returning from maternity / paternity leave / shared parental leave - connections really matter.