“If you are working on something exciting that you really care about, you don’t have to be pushed. The vision pulls you” – Steve Jobs.
On paper, Interim was the logical choice. It was flexible, offered more money, gave me complete choice over who I worked with - when and where - and provided me with diversity that I really enjoyed. But, if the vision is compelling and it completely sucks you in, then I guess that’s what you have to follow.
Stanton House has been my constant. The company that I gave everything to as a Consultant. I did a lot of project-by-project work but I genuinely feel; despite working on a contract basis, that the work I have achieved with Stanton House has been no less than anything I would have given to the company as a permanent employee.
A lot of this is due to mindset. I always felt part of the business and had always placed myself in their story. They always included me fully as well. I would celebrate their successes and take pride in the achievements of their workforce in a completely personal way. I built strong relationships with key stakeholders and I have an undeniably strong work ethic; I hope that my delivery always matched.
However, when I recently sat down with Neil and discussed the prospect of a permanent position I was overcome with a feeling of vulnerability that I hadn’t felt in over a decade.
I hadn’t considered a permanent role for several years, so to even think about perhaps losing my flexibility, potential breadth of experiences and with the reality of having to make changes to my childcare (never straightforward!), it was a terrifying concept – something I simply hadn’t contemplated or considered in a very long time.
As much as I love consultancy work, the prospect of walking away from Stanton House really upset me; the opportunity was too exciting and I just couldn’t picture saying goodbye. My work wasn’t done!
I knew that Stanton House needed an ongoing investment in Learning and Development but I didn’t know to what extent it could go, how my own career development if I were to commit to the role would be impacted and indeed if there was a true hunger for whatever that might look like.
I very openly discussed the objectives that I had regarding my CPD, flexibility and the excitement I would miss from my former life as well as the balance that would be needed for this to work with my family. So, as every brave 41-year-old woman does, I asked for the job that suited me. A job that would fit around my family, offer the opportunity for career development and most importantly, a job that ensures I can continue to add true value to the business.
This resulted in a 4-day a week position that has very quickly evolved into a bigger role, with even greater remit of responsibility, inclusion and influence in the company. It was incredible to together create a role that ensures I will never begrudge the commitment that I chose to make and at the same time allow me to lead by example to current or prospective Stanton House people wanting to go into senior positions, in a way that suits them.
This has given me even greater confidence that I have made the right decision and I am thrilled to be working for such an agile and forward-thinking company that truly allows me to add the value that I know will benefit all of our people; our greatest asset after all. 
