Katherine Cornish and Vanessa Simons: Relationships Grounded In Trust

In this special episode we talk to Katherine Cornish and Vanessa Simons (both from Fisher Funds) about their experiences as single parents. To share their reflections on the motherhood penalty and how they would change the system. To understand the challenges that might be different and what some of the solutions are that help.  Both Katherine and Vanessa become solo parents under different circumstances and they courageously share their stories with us. They share them in a real and unfiltered way which I know so many listeners will find comfort in. We talk about hard things including grief, choices and the importance of leadership relationships that are grounded in trust. It is a unique episode and one that I am proud of. Thank you Katherine and Vanessa, you both smashed this conversation with your clarity, your reflections and your courage. 

We speak about:

• The trust between a leader and a working parent. 
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• As a single parent, there is no respite. On the plus side, there is the simplicity of not needing to negotiate with another parent. 
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• Playing the cards you are dealt. This phrase helped Vanessa to have control over her situation as she was experiencing grief of losing her partner.
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• The importance of getting structure (“rigorous logistics”) and planning in your week. Outsourcing to a cleaner if you can afford it - “it makes my heart a little lighter”. And online shopping - this is buying you time - and something that all three of us do! 
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• Saying no to volunteer work - and knowing that it won’t be forever. 
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• Brutally prioritise your day and be open with your leader about this. Give yourself permission to choose the least worst outcome. As you can do anything but not everything. 
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• The power of a CEO that you can be transparent with and makes you feel like the responsibilities in your life are ok and not bad for your career. 
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• Empathy as a leadership quality we need in all our leaders. 
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• Magic wand to develop a kinder capitalist society that enables us to priortise our families. 
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• Permission to choose what works for you when it comes to working. 

Resources Discussed

• Woolworths online grocery orders!

Connect with Emma

This podcast was funded and created by Emma Mclean, the founder of Works for Everyone.

Emma Mclean is a mum of three and founder of Works for Everyone, a professional development business that partners with NZ's leading corporates to help them retain and grow their working parent talent. She does this through innovative leadership programmes, executive coaching and keynote speaking. She founded her business in 2019 following a 20-year career in corporate strategy where she experienced first-hand how hard it was to have a career and a family. 

As an impatient optimist when it comes to system change, she launched her successful podcast “How to Smash the Motherhood Penalty” in 2023 where she talks to humans who are actively working to change the system that creates financial penalties that only mothers pay. And in 2024 she launched the first NZ Part Time Power List – to shine a light on those senior roles in NZ that are career building, not side stepping."

To work with Emma or enquire about speaking – emma@worksforeveryone.co.nz 

www.worksforeveryone.co.nz

https://www.instagram.com/worksforeveryone/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-mclean-9176217/