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

Send us a text Two 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 unapologetically Recommended 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 Podcast Rate, 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!