Learning and resilience

Question 1

Post MBA challenge

Answer 1

Took on APS and was in at the deep end. Gruelling, I delegated and prioritised. I kept a learning diary, recruited a mentor and built an informal network of experts. Became comfortable working at the strategic level without knowing all the detail, knowing how to question and challenge the experts.

Question 2

Flexibility

Answer 2

I get parachuted in when projects are in trouble - Ireland loan, Cyprus financial crisis, Eurozone (last year), Help-to-Buy more recently - because I’ve a solid set of project management skills, I’m a connector, I know what questions to ask and I’m strategic. I understand the bigger picture far better than most of the individual policy leads. For the same reason, they had me authoring Budget chapters, our overall FS website narrative during the crisis, and the post-election briefing for new Ministers.

Question 3

Personal approach for resilience

Answer 3

I “lean in”, I’m seen as a role-model for other working mothers around our organisation. And I’m entirely focused on outcomes, not hours. But I do whatever’s necessary to get the job done, and I have flexibility in my childcare arrangements that mean I can be available whenever I’m needed. I don’t want to stop growing professionally because I’m a mother - I want more responsibility, not less. I’m also much more reflective now - I schedule in “thinking time” to make sure I’m learning from my experiences.

Question 4

Sharing my learning

Answer 4

• Working hours piece - DCLG and DWP did a snapshot exercise as part of CSR. Based on my learnings from the APS (and since, as a coach, and researcher for book) I pulled together a new tool - visually attractive and user-friendly - that provides guidance and advice based on information fed in by colleagues.
  
  • Contingency planning lessons learned and work structures - making sure the worst excesses of 2009/10 don’t repeat. Again, self-initiated - series of workshops with senior stakeholders.

Question 5

Lifelong learner

Answer 5

MBA five years ago (McKinsey internship on change), coach training, last mat leave (helping with book, psychometrics), next mat leave (innovation and creativity curriculum). Digital side projects - have designed and established infographics, presentations and websites for self-employed friends, helped a number of entrepreneurs set up their business architecture and digital PR/marketing. Other side projects - have facilitated awaydays for a few charities, role of school governor for local infant school.