Kathryn Boyd

Leading Mother of the Week #94

3 QUESTIONS FOR WOMEN WHO COMBINE CHILDREN AND LEADERSHIP

@Kathryn Boyd

Deputy Trade Commissioner, Europe and Country Director, British Embassy Berlin

a) I am a leader in the UK civil service, currently posted to the British Embassy in Berlin

b) I have 1 three-year old child

c) My child goes to kindergarten

d) I work full-time with a lot of travel and evening commitments

1) What experience with your children has inspired or helped you in your job?My three-year-old’s innate positivity and delight in small things is a constant reminder to focus on the joys in life. It’s given me a more balanced perspective when dealing with setbacks or crises at work. In government, there are always crises! Of course my son does plunge into despair over small things – but a minute later he’s laughing his head off.

2) What am I proud of? 

My partner and I doing our jobs full-time, making the travel and the evening commitments work, without a full-time nanny or grandparents nearby. Maybe more importantly, being honest about how difficult it is – this involves compromises. For both of us!

3) What needs to change structurally?

If men were doing as much childcare and working part-time as much as women, the system would adapt. Leading mothers are perhaps particularly well-placed to support and encourage male staff to balance work and caring responsibilities.