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Behind Every Successful Woman…
So. Yesterday was International Women’s Day (IWD). Today I am sitting in a breathtakingly beautiful Airbnb in Bath washed with exhaustion, adrenalin, warmth and contentment. This week has been one of the most frantic and energising ones of my life. I have celebrated my youngest son’s 7th birthday, launched Quiet the Hive as a fully functioning business, interviewed the incredible (and Queen of interviews) Martha Kearney (BBC Radio 4, Women’s Hour, first female presenter of the World at One) for an IWD event, been to counselling, plumbed in a dishwasher, had my 360 feedback at work, had some ‘difficult’ conversations, booked a weekend away with girlfriends and done it all…
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Quiet the Hive Writ Large!
And so it’s here! After a great many months of umming and ahhhing, Quiet the Hive exists in a more real format! What started as a little idea of sharing some challenges, hints, tips and advice has grown into a website, two already-booked speaking gigs and, that most grown-up of things, my own business cards! To be honest, I am not entirely clear yet on what QtH will become or where it will lead, but I’m happy with that. There is something quite empowering about going where the energy is. For as long as QtH brings me joy, then it’s going in the right direction and doing the right thing.…
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Take a Leap…
I have recently started curating an Instagram account. It’s called Quiet the Hive, so called to represent the busy bees that we all are, our strong sense of community, others reliance on us (family, friends, work, our inner voice), our independence and the constant humming in our head. Women juggle a lot of stuff (yes, men too, but I’m a woman and so speaking from what I know, and I know we juggle a s**t load). I wanted a way to reach out and share what I know, what I don’t, and what I’m learning to help manage my own buzzing. And a way to support women to take a moment…
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Let it Go…
At the risk of giving you a week long ear worm…how do you let it go? (I warned you!) A while ago I posted about the energy I was feeling to tackle some of the issues I was seeing respected female colleagues dealing with first hand. Leaning into that energy enabled me to set up an incredible network of amazing women leaders. We meet monthly to support, challenge and encourage each other through a range of issues, questions and complexities. In our most recent meeting, one of these incredible women asked “How do you let it go?” So, how do you? How do you move past criticism? Past negative self…
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What’s Your F.I.E.?
Yesterday I was in a room with inspiring, smart, funny, motivational, beautiful, supportive, very human women. I wrote in a recent article about that elusive mouse of an idea that was nibbling at the edges of my mind, my core. Well, it did morph into the lioness. This group of women is the result of me reaching out to seven fantastic, amazing women leaders. Eight of us who each bring our own experiences, knowledge and empathy into the room and give generously to each other of support, advice and challenge. Most of these women have only met twice, and already the chemistry is there, the trust is building. This is…
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IWD is for life…
I wish you a very happy International Women’s Day. Today is that day. There is a hope in the air, a sense of achievement, of possibility. I spent this morning in the House of Commons with around 30 babies and 50 adults at the launch of LeadersPlus. It was an inspiring way to start the day hearing about the challenges of juggling being a present parent and having a successful career. It was heartening to hear a discussion around what I have recently been coming to terms with; why should women have to do everything? It’s commendable that we are told we are now in a place where we can…
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Elusive Mouse
For anyone who reads my sporadic articles, you’ll know that I’m well acquainted with the Imposter Syndrome and the impact it can have. Well, actually, today I am fed up of it. I am going to out it and I’m going to sack it. I’ve suddenly had an appreciation of the real damage it can do. Something has clicked. I recently had a conversation with a senior woman leader who I both like and admire. She’s someone you instantly connect with. She’s the sort of person I’d like to pick apart the world with over a glass of wine, and equally have the opportunity to learn from. She is, I…
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Claim Your Inner Role Model
Last week the fabulous Emily Miles (Business Manager, London Leadership Academy) and I ran a couple of workshops at the Health & Care Women Leaders Network. We had a blast and the whole day was a beautiful blend of inspiring, thought-provoking and supportive presentations, sessions and conversations. Emily and I engaged with our groups about how to ‘be the change you want to see’. The conversation encompassed advocating for and mentoring others, and how it feels when someone does that for you. When asked whether women were mentors, those who were actively mentoring put the hands boldly and clearly into the air. When asked if they were role models, hands…
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Conversations with my Lizard
The Impostor Syndrome. It’s real, I know because I am a self-diagnosed, long-term, chronic sufferer. Today, I am writing up my notes from an amazing masterclass that I brought to the London Women’s Leadership Network. (Even writing that is tricky! Yes, I was responsible for making this happen even though my fantastic colleagues helped with the practicalities.). I have been following Inkling Women since my days working in improvement. I found them when I was sitting at my desk, in a condemned building (an indicator of the high regard in which we were held as a team!), after a particularly difficult meeting explaining to someone why we couldn’t see the…
