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Written by Molly Thwaites
Stepping into a senior leadership role comes with its own set of challenges. Add motherhood into the mix, and the definition of “balance” can take on a whole new meaning.
For Jordan, our GM of Client Growth and Strategy, returning from maternity leave wasn’t simply about getting back up to speed with work. It was about finding a new way of working, one that allowed her to continue growing professionally while embracing one of the biggest changes in her personal life.
Life Before Maternity Leave
Before becoming a mum, work naturally took up a different space in Jordan’s life.
There was more flexibility to stay late, take a call outside of hours, travel when needed or let work take priority when something urgent came up. Like many people in senior positions, there was always another project to tackle, another conversation to have and another goal to work towards.
“Before becoming a mum, I probably measured commitment by how much of myself I could give to work, staying late, always being available and carrying everything myself. I’ve always been ambitious and deeply invested in what I do, but the boundaries were different. I thought being a strong leader meant having the capacity to take everything on.”
That doesn’t necessarily mean she worked harder before, but the boundaries were different.
Then came maternity leave.
Coming Back with a Different Perspective
Returning to work after maternity leave brought a new perspective on what really mattered.
The ambition was still there. The passion for the job was still there. But the way Jordan approached work had changed.
Being away from the workplace creates space to step back and look at things differently. Returning as a mum meant becoming much more conscious of where time and energy were being spent, and recognising that being successful at work doesn't mean having to give every part of yourself to it.
“I didn’t return from maternity leave as the same person, and I wouldn’t want to. Motherhood has empowered me. I’m stronger, more decisive and much more willing to have the difficult conversations I may once have shied away from. I have greater clarity about what matters, where I can create real impact and the kind of leader I want to be.”
There can be an unspoken pressure when returning from maternity leave to prove that motherhood hasn’t changed you that you are still just as driven, capable and committed. But for Jordan, motherhood isn’t something to compensate for. It has added to the leader she has become.
There is also a different kind of motivation that comes with having a child. Building a career and being a role model for your child can become part of the same picture.
Finding a New Kind of Balance
For Jordan, balancing motherhood with a senior leadership role isn't about achieving a perfect 50/50 split.
Some days work needs more attention. Other days, family does.
The reality is that balance can change from one day to the next, and accepting that has been an important part of finding what works.
It has also meant becoming more intentional with time, trusting the people around her and understanding that leadership doesn't mean needing to do everything yourself.
That mindset can be valuable in any leadership role, but particularly when your responsibilities extend beyond the workplace.
“My role requires me to lead nationally, travel, build trusted relationships and make decisions that affect our people, our clients and the direction of the business. Becoming a mum hasn’t made me step back from those responsibilities it has made me step into them with even greater confidence and purpose. I’m more courageous in my conversations, more intentional with my time and more connected to the people I lead.”
Has Motherhood Changed the Way Jordan Leads?
Absolutely.
Returning from maternity leave has given Jordan an even greater appreciation for flexibility, trust and the different circumstances people can be navigating outside of work.
It has reinforced the importance of creating a workplace where people can be ambitious and successful while still having a life outside of their job.
“Motherhood hasn’t softened my ambition, but it has made my leadership more human. You become acutely aware that everyone is carrying a life outside of the one you see at work. Flexibility and empathy aren’t signs that standards have slipped they’re often what allow good people to keep performing at their best.”
Because careers aren't linear, and neither is life.
People move through different seasons. They become parents, carers, partners, leaders and mentors. Their priorities can change, sometimes dramatically, without their ambition disappearing.
For Jordan, becoming a mum hasn't meant stepping back from her career. If anything, it has changed the way she defines what a successful career looks like.
Showing Her Daughter What Is Possible
Jordan still travels, connects with clients across the country and pursues ambitious growth for the business. While leaving her daughter can sometimes be difficult, it is also part of the example she wants to set.
“I want my daughter to grow up seeing a mother who loves her deeply and has continued to build a career she is proud of. I want her to know that motherhood and leadership don’t have to compete, and that she never has to make herself smaller to fit into one role.”
For Jordan, motherhood hasn’t narrowed what is possible. It has given her another reason to pursue it.
Redefining Success
The biggest difference between working before and after maternity leave might not be the role itself. It’s the perspective.
There is still ambition. Still a desire to achieve. Still excitement about what’s next.
But there is also a greater appreciation for time, flexibility and being present for the things that matter outside of work.
“I used to think success meant being able to do everything. Now I think it means knowing what deserves your presence, what can be delegated and what simply isn’t worth missing the important moments for. My career still matters enormously to me, but I no longer believe success should require sacrificing every other part of who I am.”
For Jordan, being a leader and being a mum aren't two competing identities.
They’re both part of who she is.
“I’m not trying to prove that I can do everything perfectly. I’m showing my daughter that she can build a life that holds more than one dream. She can be loving and ambitious, present and driven, a mother and a leader. Motherhood hasn’t limited what I can achieve it has strengthened me, sharpened my purpose and pushed me to excel even further.”
Perhaps the real lesson is that people shouldn’t have to choose between having a fulfilling career and having a fulfilling life. With the right support, flexibility and a willingness to redefine what success looks like, there can be room for both.