Join Elizabeth Willetts for this episode of the Work It Like A Mum podcast, where she talks motherhood, returning to work after maternity leave and juggling transatlantic moves with special guest Deanna Lloyd. Deanna is a high-profile VP for a Big 4 consulting firm who regularly shares her experiences of balancing work and family life on LinkedIn.
Deanna shares her career journey with Elizabeth and explains the demands of consultancy work, opening up about her schedule and the frequent work travel involved. They then discuss maternity leave, and Deanna busts some of the myths about paid leave in the States and points out where the system still needs improvement. She also discusses her current work-life balance and tells Elizabeth what it’s like to work from home with her young daughter in the next room.
Listen out for Deanna’s predictions on the future of work and her recommendations for gender equality in the workplace. At the end of the episode, Deanna gives some great, compassionate advice for women returning to work after taking family leave.
The Work It Like A Mum podcast is a fantastic resource for anyone juggling work and family responsibilities, so don’t keep it to yourself! Share it on your LinkedIn feed or send it to a friend. You can also show your support by subscribing to the podcast.
Timestamps
[3:06] Elizabeth introduces Deanna to the podcast
[4:00] Deanna explains how she got into consulting
[7:15] Deanna’s move to London and the cultural differences she encountered
[8:54] How much travel do you actually have to do as a consultant?
[9:40] “I was very nervous”: Deanna’s return to work after maternity leave
[10:50] What can a mentor do for your career?
[12:22] Confidence, productivity, imposter syndrome: What changes when you go back to work after having kids
[14:14] Weighing up family paid leave in the UK and the US
[18:30] Working from home with kids at home: Is it for everyone?
[22:45] You have to have a support network!
[24:38] What Deanna’s work life looks like now
[26:13] Deanna predicts the future of work and which companies will be successful
[29:43] Where Deanna wants her career to go, and what she hopes for her daughter’s future career
[34:54] How can the workplace contribute towards gender equality? Deanna shares her thoughts
[36:20] “Be kind to yourself”: Deanna’s advice to people reentering the workforce
[37:37] Where to go to connect with Deanna
Show Links
For more information about the podcast’s sponsor, please visit:
Investing in Women Flexible Working Recruitment Site
Investing in Women on Instagram