Prioritizing Happiness: How Xero’s CRO Made Difficult Career Decisions to Put Herself First

New Modern Mom Podcast

In this episode, I had the pleasure of hosting Ashley Grech, Chief Revenue Officer of Xero and a mother of three energetic young boys. Ashley shared her journey and wisdom on balancing the demanding worlds of career and motherhood. This conversation offers inspiration and practical strategies for ambitious women striving to succeed both personally and professionally.

Tune in to hear Ashley’s take on…

- Workplace Culture: Ashley gives us the inside scoop on how to foster a supportive work environment for parents. She's a firm believer in transparency and the power of a strong support network.

- "Having It All": Is it a myth? Ashley challenges the notion and shares her secret sauce for managing it all – hint: delegation and automation are your friends.

- Maternity Leave & Taking a Career Pause: Learn how Ashley navigated the complexities of maternity leave, from candid conversations with employers to making bold life choices for her well-being.

- Work Travel Meets Family Travel: Ever thought of mixing business trips with family time? Ashley's shares how she found a role that allows both.

- Embracing Challenges: Get ready to be motivated by Ashley's personal mantra, "you can do hard things," and her infectious belief in overcoming obstacles with grace and grit.

Ashley's story highlights resilience, determination, and the power of believing in your own capabilities to overcome challenges. So, grab your headphones, and let's dive in. Trust me, you'll come away with a fresh perspective and maybe even a new mantra for those tough days.

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About New Modern Mom: You know the dream of having it all – a thriving career, an active social life, present time with your kids, and adventures in travel. But how the F can we actually do it all? Host Barbara Mighdoll chats with other working mom executives on the raw truth behind their support systems, self-identity shifts, productivity, infertility and pregnancy loss, mom guilt, partner dynamics, childcare and even imposter syndrome. We’re exploring how these incredible women are translating their professional superpowers into their personal lives. Because we believe you can have it all, you just cannot do it all. Together, we’re building the playbook for the new modern mom.

The New Modern Mom Podcast is produced by Barbara Mighdoll, Ali Alquiza, and Em Roberts.

TLDR

Support Network and Delegating Tasks (00:04:46) Importance of external support network, including a partner, nanny, and friends, and the role of delegating tasks in managing a busy family life.

Automating Household Responsibilities (00:08:30) Discussion on the use of automation and delegation to manage household responsibilities and free up time for work and family.

Challenges as a Working Mother in a Male-Dominated Industry (00:13:50) Experiences and frustrations faced as a woman and mother in a male-dominated industry, including unconscious bias and returning from maternity leave.

Shifting Company Culture (00:17:24) Strategies for creating a supportive workplace culture, including transparency, benefits that support work-life balance, and the importance of documentation culture.

Returning to Work after Maternity Leave (00:20:07) The impact of returning to work after maternity leave, including the importance of feeling welcomed and valued in the workplace.

Creating a Maternity Leave Playbook for Work (00:21:25) Advice for creating a maternity leave playbook, including breaking down job responsibilities and discussing delegation with the team.

Maternity Leave Planning for Home (00:22:12) Strategies for managing maternity leave, including prioritization and creating a wonderful experience.

Leaving Job While Pregnant (00:26:56) The decision to leave a job while pregnant and the challenges associated with it.

Financial Planning for Career Pause (00:29:53) Discussion on financial planning and support from a partner during maternity leave.

Traveling for Work with Family (00:31:41) Strategies for traveling for work with the entire family and overcoming logistical challenges.

Mantra for Hard Days (00:34:39) A mantra for coping with the challenges of balancing work, motherhood, and self-identity.