Written By: Lauren Howard
I almost left my job after my last maternity leave. My boss convinced me to stay without even knowing I was thinking about it— by just being himself and doing what was right for me.
I stayed three more years because of a three minute conversation.
My youngest was eight weeks early. It was a traumatic labor, emergency C-Section, and NICU stay for the first two months.
My maternity leave was literally ending when it was supposed to be starting.
There was NOTHING about that time that was restorative. That baby did not stop screaming. Her sister barely cried as an infant, but this one never stopped and never slept. I was exhausted and, even as a workaholic, not at all sure I could go back to work.
Except for a very brief phone call a few weeks prior, I hadn't spoken to my leadership at all. They were very respectful about letting me be on leave and they expected exactly nothing from me.
But still, I wasn't sure I could do it. I was just so tired. I hadn't spoken to other adults in months. And this kid did not. stop. screaming.
My boss called on the Wednesday before my Monday return.
He asked me how I was, and I'm sure I muttered something about "surviving."
He heard it in my voice.
"This went way too fast. Don't rush back. You're barely supposed to be on leave right now and it's already done. Take more time. You don't have a choice. This just went too fast for you."
He hadn't seen me in person in months, but I felt seen and supported.
The small cost to the organization of my extended absence got them three more years of dedicated service through a pandemic, explosive growth, and more.
When I say culture matters, that's what I mean. Care about your people enough to stand up for them when they won't or can’t stand up for themselves. It will make them more loyal than just about anything else.
Founder & CEO at elletwo
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