#206 The Return-to-Work Gap: What Every Leader Needs to Know About Maternity Leave with Donna Reilly, HR & Wellness Consultant

Send us a textTwo words that can strike fear into even the most experienced manager: “I’m pregnant.”For women in leadership, maternity leave and the return to work can feel like an emotional rollercoaster filled with identity shifts, guilt, and the pressure to “prove yourself” all over again. For managers, it can be equally challenging to know the right way to support and communicate through this pivotal transition.Ready to feel supported in your leadership journey? Join the waitlist for 3SIXTY Leaders Club and discover how to step into your next level of success, balance, and impact.Podcast Details: In this week’s episode of The 360 LeadHERship Podcast, I sat down with Donna Riley of Donna Riley People and Wellness to unpack the realities of maternity leave and returning to work from both the perspective of ambitious women in leadership and the managers who want to support them better.Whether you’re preparing to return to work yourself, or you want to be a better leader for women in your team, this episode is filled with practical insights, mindset shifts, and empowering strategies that will help you embrace both leadership and life with more confidence and balance.Tune in to discover:Why maternity leave returners often struggle with confidence and identity shiftsThe crucial role managers play in easing the transition back to workHow guilt shows up for working mothers and how to manage itWhy support networks and coaching can make all the differenceHow to redefine balance on your terms and celebrate your achievements unapologeticallyRecommended Next Steps👉 Check out Donna Reilly’s website here.👉 Discover more about The 360 LeadHERship Podcast👉 Ready to feel supported in your leadership journey? Join the waitlist for 3SIXTY Leaders Club and discover how to step into your next level of success, balance, and impact.Enjoyed the episode?Don’t keep it to yourself! Hit follow, leave a review, and tell your friends about the 360 LeadHership PodcastRate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love Lucy’s podcast, it’s so useful." This helps me support more women - just like you - move towards achieving their leadership career goals faster. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Send us a textHere’s a truth that every ambitious woman in leadership needs to hear: all important decisions about you are made when you’re not in the room. That’s why executive presence matters so much. It’s not just about working hard, hitting targets, or keeping your head down. It’s about inspiring confidence in others that you are the person for the job. But here’s the question I hear time and time again: what matters more, looking the part or keeping it real? If you’re ready to build your confidence, strengthen your executive presence, and step into your next level of leadership, join the 3SIXTY Leaders Club waitlist.Executive presence isn’t something you’re born with, it’s a skill you can learn. For my podcast listeners only I am running a flash sale until this Sunday, 26th October where you can get the full signature course for just €497. That is a €500 discount for my lovely podcast listeners. If you are ready to take the next steps and invest in yourself, this is not just another course. It is my signature course with my complete 5-step system to help you command any room with confidence. From personal branding to body language to confident communication, it’s jam-packed with practical tools, templates, and snackable videos to get you seen, heard, and respected.   Click here to get your podcast exclusive discount.Podcast Details:In this final part of my re-released Executive Presence Mini Training Series, I unpack the balance between appearance and authenticity and why the answer isn’t “either/or.” It’s both. Because the leaders who rise and get recognised aren’t just polished, they’re also unapologetically themselves.Tune in to Discover:The truth revealed appearance or authenticity: what actually matters the most?Why a polished appearance still matters in today’s leadership landscape (and how to define what this looks like for you)How fitness, energy, and vitality impact your executive presence and the confidence others have in youAn invitation if you want to master your executive presence this yearRecommended Next Steps👉 If you’re ready to build your confidence, strengthen your executive presence, and step into your next level of leadership, join the 3SIXTY Leaders Club waitlist.👉 Executive presence isn’t something you’re born with, it’s a skill you can learn. The Executive Presence Blueprint course gives you the step-by-step strategies to master it. Click here to get your podcast exclusive discount.Enjoyed the episode?Don’t keep it to yourself! Hit follow, leave a review, and tell your friends about the 360 LeadHership PodcastRate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love Lucy’s podcast, it’s so useful." This helps me support more women -- just like you -- move towards achieving their leadership career goals faster. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Send us a textIf there’s one thing every ambitious woman in leadership needs to master, it’s executive presence. Hard work and long hours might get you noticed, but they won’t automatically earn you the recognition, influence, or opportunities you truly deserve. What will? The ability to communicate with confidence, inspire trust, and command a room.That’s why I’m so excited to bring back this re-release of my exclusive Executive Presence Mini Training Series. It was one of the most popular trainings we’ve ever shared on the podcast, and I know it’s going to be just as powerful for you the second time around.If you’re ready to build your confidence, strengthen your executive presence, and step into your next level of leadership, join the 3SIXTY Leaders Club waitlist.Executive presence isn’t something you’re born with, it’s a skill you can learn. The Executive Presence Blueprint course gives you the step-by-step strategies to master it. Check it out here.Podcast Details:In this episode, we dive into one of the most important yet often overlooked aspects of executive presence: communication. Because if you want to accelerate your career, inspire your team, and gain the trust of senior stakeholders, you’ve got to move beyond just “getting your point across” and step into the role of a truly influential communicator.Tune in to Discover:Why communication is the number one skill you need to master to influence people and become magneticThe biggest mistakes I see all the time that leaders make when it comes to communicationThe types of communication sub-skills you need to master to truly build your executive presenceRecommended Next Steps👉 If you’re ready to build your confidence, strengthen your executive presence, and step into your next level of leadership, join the 3SIXTY Leaders Club waitlist.👉 Executive presence isn’t something you’re born with, it’s a skill you can learn. My Executive Presence Blueprint course gives you the step-by-step strategies to master it. Check it out here.Enjoyed the episode?Don’t keep it to yourself! Hit follow, leave a review, and tell your friends about the 360 LeadHership PodcastRate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love Lucy’s podcast, it’s so useful." This helps me support more women -- just like you -- move towards achieving their leadership career goals faster. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Send us a textYou’ve worked hard. You’ve proven yourself time and again. You’ve solved problems, led projects, and shown up for your organisation with everything you’ve got.But here’s the thing: hard work alone won’t get you noticed.If you want to truly stand out in senior leadership, you need to master the art of executive presence. It’s not about pretending, polishing, or putting on a mask. It’s about inspiring confidence, commanding a room, and leading with authority all while staying authentic to who you really are.And the good news? Executive presence can be learned.What would change if you finally had the tools, strategies, and support to lead with clarity, confidence, and balance? Join the waitlist for 3SIXTY Leaders Club and you’ll be first in line when spots open.Executive presence isn’t something you’re born with, it's a skill you can learn. My Executive Presence Blueprint course gives you the step-by-step strategies to master it. Check it out here.Podcast Details: In today’s episode of the 360 LeadHERship Podcast, I’m so excited to share this with you again. Last year, this exclusive 3-part mini training series on executive presence was one of our most downloaded and loved  so we’ve decided to re-release it for you. If you missed it the first time, this is your chance to dive in. And if you’ve already listened, it’s the perfect opportunity to revisit and refresh these powerful strategies.Tune in to Discover:The definition of executive presence and why it mattersWhat has changed over the past decade that you need to be aware of3 KEY attributes great leaders have today The magic word Gravitas and how to really command a room with more easeRecommended Next Steps👉 What would change if you finally had the tools, strategies, and support to lead with clarity, confidence, and balance? Join the waitlist for 3SIXTY Leaders Club and you’ll be first in line when spots open.👉 Executive presence isn’t something you’re born with it’s a skill you can learn. The Executive Presence Blueprint gives you the step-by-step strategies to master it. Check it out here.Enjoyed the episode?Don’t keep it to yourself! Hit follow, leave a review, and tell your friends about the 360 LeadHership PodcastRate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love Lucy’s podcast, it’s so useful." This helps me support more women -- just like you -- move towards achieving their leadership career goals faster. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Send us a textWhat if the very doubts that make you question yourself as a leader were actually the fuel that could help you grow?Ready to Feel Fully Supported in Leadership and Life? Join the waitlist for 3SIXTY Leaders Club, the premier coaching experience for ambitious women in senior corporate roles. You'll get early access to the next cohort, behind-the-scenes insights, and priority on applications.Podcast Details: In this week’s episode of The 360 LeadHERship Podcast, I’m joined by Heather Elkington, founder of Fresh Start Leadership. Heather’s journey is one that so many women in leadership will resonate with from battling imposter syndrome as a young assistant manager on the shop floor at Harrods, to scaling and selling a tech company, to becoming an Ops Director in a FTSE 100 subsidiary leading five diverse teams across 11,000 employees.Now, she’s using her wealth of experience to empower the next generation of managers and create workplaces where people genuinely love the work they do. And trust me, her story and insights will spark some powerful mindset shifts for you too.Tune in to discover:The truth about imposter syndrome and why so many women in leadership experience it (and how to overcome it).Why small companies can be powerful stepping stones for women in leadership to gain diverse experience and accelerate growth.The impact of supportive managers on performance and mental healthWhy avoiding difficult conversations only makes problems bigger and how to reframe them with courage and ownership.The power of vulnerability and authenticity in creating psychological safety and trust in teams.Recommended Next Steps👉 Check out Heather Elkington's website here.👉 Discover more about The 360 LeadHERship Podcast👉Ready to Feel Fully Supported in Leadership and Life? Join the waitlist for 3SIXTY Leaders Club, the premier coaching experience for ambitious women in senior corporate roles. You'll get early access to the next cohort, behind-the-scenes insights, and priority on applications.Enjoyed the episode?Don’t keep it to yourself! Hit follow, leave a review, and tell your friends about the 360 LeadHership PodcastRate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love Lucy’s podcast, it’s so useful." This helps me support more women - just like you - move towards achieving their leadership career goals faster. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Send us a textDo you ever look at other successful women and wonder, “How do they do it?”They seem confident. They speak up effortlessly. They set boundaries. They make time for the gym, their families, and still keep moving up the ladder while you’re left second-guessing yourself, juggling endless demands, and wondering where you’re going wrong.Here’s the truth: it’s not that they’re “naturally” more confident or better at leadership. They’ve learned how to lead with clarity, executive presence, and balance without burning out. And you can too.Ready to create your own 360° success? Applications for 3SIXTY Leaders Club are now open. This is the proven, science-backed leadership development programme designed for ambitious women in senior leadership who are ready to step into their next level with confidence, clarity, and balance. Submit your application herePodcast Details: In this week’s episode of the 360 LeadHERship Podcast, I’m pulling back the curtain on the exact 7-step 360° Success System I created inside my signature leadership development programme, 3SIXTY Leaders Club. These are the same steps my clients use to land promotions in weeks (after years of waiting), reclaim their time, speak with authority, and finally feel like the confident leaders they’ve always wanted to be.Tune in to Discover:Why traditional “goal setting strategies” don’t work unless they’re backed by accountability and clarityHow women in leadership can use mindset shifts to build unshakable executive presenceThe power of group coaching and real-time support to overcome professional challengesPractical tools to improve your work-life balance without sacrificing your career ambitionsHow the 360° Success System helps ambitious women leaders become more strategic, impactful, and energised in just 30–60 minutes a weekRecommended Next Steps👉 Ready to create your own 360° success? Applications for 3SIXTY Leaders Club are now open. This is the proven, science-backed leadership development programme designed for ambitious women in senior leadership who are ready to step into their next level with confidence, clarity, and balance. Submit your application hereEnjoyed the episode?Don’t keep it to yourself! Hit follow, leave a review, and tell your friends about the 360 LeadHership PodcastRate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love Lucy’s podcast, it’s so useful." This helps me support more women -- just like you -- move towards achieving their leadership career goals faster. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Send us a textHave you ever looked back six months and realised… nothing has really changed?You’re still overthinking every email.Still second-guessing yourself in meetings.Still people-pleasing instead of leading with certainty.If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. So many brilliant women in leadership fall into the trap of learning without taking action. You listen to podcasts, attend workshops, read the books but nothing actually shifts in your career or life. Why? Because insight without action is just distraction.If you’re done collecting information and ready to take real action, I invite you to apply for 3SIXTY Leaders Club, the leadership development experience designed to help ambitious women rise with more clarity, confidence, and balance. Spots are limited, so don’t wait. Apply now.Podcast Details: And that’s exactly what I’m unpacking in today’s very special 200th episode of the 360 LeadHERship Podcast.This milestone episode is a heartfelt conversation about why I nearly shut down the podcast, the hard truths I’ve learned after working with hundreds of senior women leaders, and why information alone will never get you promoted, protect your work-life balance, or give you the executive presence you crave.Tune in to Discover:Why knowledge alone won’t create the results you want and the mindset shifts you need to move forward.How to stop measuring your worth by how much you know and start measuring it by the results you create.The real cost of staying stuck from lost sleep and rising stress to missed promotions and financial opportunities.Why executive presence, confidence, and work-life balance aren’t about waiting until you “feel ready”Recommended Next Steps👉 If you’re done collecting information and ready to take real action, I invite you to apply for 3SIXTY Leaders Club, the leadership development experience designed to help ambitious women rise with more clarity, confidence, and balance. Spots are limited, so don’t wait. Apply now.Enjoyed the episode?Don’t keep it to yourself! Hit follow, leave a review, and tell your friends about the 360 LeadHership PodcastRate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love Lucy’s podcast, it’s so useful." This helps me support more women -- just like you -- move towards achieving their leadership career goals faster. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Send us a textDo you ever find yourself replaying conversations in your head after a meeting?Second-guessing your words…shying away from conflict…feeling like something invisible is holding you back from truly fulfilling your leadership potential?Maybe, on top of your demanding role, you’re balancing everything else raising children, caring for aging parents, trying to prioritise your health, or even, like one of today’s guests, navigating a life-changing medical challenge.Want to Lead with More Confidence and Live with More Balance? Discover 3SIXTY leaders ClubPodcast Details: In this weeks' episode of the 360 LeadHERship Podcast, I’m joined by two phenomenal 3SIXTY Leaders Club members, Avril Whitty and Danielle Buggel who share their raw, honest journeys from self-doubt and overthinking to confident, strategic leadership. Their stories prove that you can thrive in senior leadership and make time for the moments that matter most without burning out or losing yourself in the process.Their journeys are proof that you can rise to the top without burning out or sacrificing your personal life. When you invest in yourself and surround yourself with the right support, you unlock the clarity, confidence, and calm you need to lead with impact and still have the time and energy to enjoy your life.Tune in to discover:The powerful mindset shifts Avril and Danielle made to create more space, balance, and joy in their day-to-day lives.The role 3SIXTY Leaders Club played in accelerating their confidence, clarity, and career progressionWhy visibility is key to building executive presence (and how to start showing up more powerfully).How to embrace fear, take action before you feel “ready,” and use group coaching to fast-track your results.What it really takes to overcome reservations about investing in yourself and why it’s the smartest move you’ll ever make.Recommended Next Steps👉 Connect with Avril Whitty on LinkedIn👉 Connect with Danielle Buggel on LinkedIn👉 Discover more about The 360 LeadHERship Podcast👉 Want to Lead with More Confidence and Live with More Balance? Discover 3SIXTY Leaders ClubEnjoyed the episode?Don’t keep it to yourself! Hit follow, leave a review, and tell your friends about the 360 LeadHership PodcastRate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love Lucy’s podcast, it’s so useful." This helps me support more women - just like you - move towards achieving their leadership career goals faster. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Send us a textIsn’t it time you played a bigger game in your career?Too many brilliant women in leadership are showing up as a diluted version of themselves masking their true brilliance, overthinking every move, and second-guessing their voice in the boardroom.But what if you could drop the mask, step into authentic, confident leadership, and still have time for the moments that matter most?Want to Lead with More Confidence and Live with More Balance? Discover 3SIXTY leaders ClubPodcast Details: In this week's episode of the 360 LeadHERship Podcast, I sat down with two incredible 3SIXTY Leaders Club members, Sandra and Marie, who have done exactly that.They share how they went from self-doubt and hesitation to promotions, stronger executive presence, and perhaps most importantly more time and energy to live life on their own terms.Tune in to discover:Goal setting strategies that helped them shift from reactive to strategic leadershipHow they built unstoppable executive presence without changing who they areMindset shifts that helped them speak up with authority and influence in senior leadership meetingsThe ripple effect of leadership growth on work-life balanceWhy being part of a like-minded community accelerates confidence, clarity, and career progression for women in leadershipRecommended Next Steps👉 Connect with Sandra Grogan on LinkedIn👉 Connect with Marie Kinsella on LinkedIn👉 Discover more about The 360 LeadHERship Podcast👉 Want to Lead with More Confidence and Live with More Balance? Discover 3SIXTY leaders ClubEnjoyed the episode?Don’t keep it to yourself! Hit follow, leave a review, and tell your friends about the 360 LeadHership PodcastRate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love Lucy’s podcast, it’s so useful." This helps me support more women - just like you - move towards achieving their leadership career goals faster. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Send us a textAre you waiting for one more win, promotion, or project to finally feel confident enough to go for what you really want?For so many high-achieving women in leadership, confidence feels just out of reach like it lives on the other side of success. But what if that thinking is keeping you stuck?Want to Build Unshakable Self-Belief? Join the waitlist for 3SIXTY Leaders Club and be the first to know when doors open again. You’ll get early access, behind-the-scenes updates, and priority application review.Podcast Details: In this final episode of this powerful five-part mini-series, I revealed the fifth mistake so many women in senior leadership make: believing that confidence is something you earn, not something you choose.This mindset mistake is more common than you think and it could be costing you time, energy, and the self-belief you need to move to the next level with ease and conviction.Tune in to Discover:How to stop outsourcing your worth to external validationSubtle signs you’re stuck in a “success-chasing loop” (even if you're thriving on paper)A powerful client story that proves what happens when you stop waiting and start owning your voiceActionable mindset shifts to help you build executive presence and influence from the inside outHow goal setting strategies that prioritise who you are, not just what you do, create deeper work-life balanceRecommended Next Steps👉 Want to Build Unshakable Self-Belief? Join the waitlist for 3SIXTY Leaders Club and be the first to know when doors open again. You’ll get early access, behind-the-scenes updates, and priority application review.Enjoyed the episode?Don’t keep it to yourself! Hit follow, leave a review, and tell your friends about the 360 LeadHership PodcastRate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love Lucy’s podcast, it’s so useful." This helps me support more women -- just like you -- move towards achieving their leadership career goals faster. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!