For the past month, I've been away from work, and adjusting to my new boss: my one-month old first-born child.
She is definitely the most demanding manager I've ever had, and in the process of trying to get back to work (a few hours a day), while nursing a newborn, I've learned a lot about what could help (new) working moms do their best work, and it pretty much looks like a Tony Stark setup.
👓 𝗔 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝗚𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀
So that I can consult documents and go through information hands-free. I was very happy to learn that Google recently started testing new smart glasses!
✍️ 𝗔 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝘂𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀
To perform the tasks that absolutely require me to use my hands (like making slides). There are so many aspects of work we take for granted when we don't have a baby to take care of!
🖥️ 𝗔 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗜 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁
To delegate simple tasks to, like scheduling, research, admin work, etc. While Siri is definitely helpful, I can't wait to see how smarter AI assistants will get in the upcoming years.
👯 𝗔 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗿 𝘂𝗽 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵
Like Pepper Potts, to team up with on more complex tasks that require creativity and innovation as well as longer time slots.
Jokes aside, I really think that the last one should be a program in organizations, to pair up young talent, with more experienced moms, who may be returning to work with a flexible arrangement. Imagine being a 21-year-old doing the work of someone a few years more senior, under their guidance. After all, Pepper Potts started as an assistant, and ended up being the CEO of Stark Industries.
For the next few months, I will be updating the Cosmic Centaurs blog with my thoughts on what it's like being an entrepreneur and a new mother. Follow us on LinkedIn to stay up to date!