You Had a Baby, Not a Lobotomy: Reclaiming Your Career Identity After Maternity Leave

You came back from parental leave a different person - more resilient, more decisive, less tolerant of nonsense, and more capable. The question isn't whether you can do your role. It's whether you will give yourself permission to show up as the upgraded version of yourself.

This week on the Working Mumma Podcast, I chat with Rebecca Houghton, founder of Bold HR and author of More Impact, More Easily — a book that started as a guide for middle managers and turned out to be essential reading for every working mum navigating her way back after maternity leave. 

Rebecca has over 20 years of experience in leadership, talent, and organisational transformation.

In this episode, we go deep on what the return to work really involves, and why most women are doing it harder than they need to.

In this episode we cover:

• Why returning to work after having a baby is actually one of the most powerful career resets you'll ever have, and how to use it consciously
• The two-part reset every working mum needs: one for your home system, one for your professional identity
• Why nobody does two jobs well and what has to change before you go back (hint: it's not just you)
• The worthiness vs capability confidence model and why your inner critic goes into overdrive when you return
• The difference between input and impact and why your boss is measuring you by a completely different currency than you think
• Why the "let it go" mindset shift is the single most important tool for working mums in their first year back
• How to have a conversation with your inner voice (yes, really) and why Rebecca named hers Desdemona

Episode resources and links 

Connect with Rebecca on LinkedIn and check out her book "More Impact, More Easily" on boldhr.com

Follow Working Mumma on Instagram @workingmummacommunity or LinkedIn