In the third of our three-part series celebrating female executives in their ‘Second Spring’, Jacqui Purdy outlines how we can support these vital leaders as they travel through mid-life and menopause.
Time for a Re-think
Strengths Unleashed believe organisations (and society) need to re-think how they view and support women reaching their mid-life, not just because it’s the right thing to do but because there is a strategic business benefit in doing so. Women aged 40-60 are a significant part of the workforce, they are also in their prime in terms of experience and wisdom, making vital contributions in the organisation. But the changes women experience journeying through during menopause can be difficult to navigate, not least because they are compounded by the pressures of professional and family life.
Largely unsupported at this mid-life point in the peak of their career, research tells us that women’s experience of menopause in the workplace leaves as many as 61% losing motivation with 52% losing confidence* resulting in nearly a quarter of women either considering or actually leaving work, according to CIPD estimates.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Every woman’s menopause is unique. For some women symptoms are mild and short-lived, for others the opposite is true, and plenty will fall elsewhere along the continuum. What we do know is that oestrogen is the petrol that fuels a woman’s body, so as levels fluctuate and wane, no part of a woman’s mind and body are immune to potential symptoms as the body transitions towards its Second Spring. Our wellbeing programme works with this in mind.
Introducing the Second Spring Leaders
Second Spring Leaders is a multi-faceted wellbeing programme supporting executives approaching, in or post menopause. Borrowing the term from traditional Chinese medicine, where menopause is celebrated as a time of new beginnings; women step into ‘wholeness’ complete with an accumulation of experience and wisdom.
Staged in three parts over six months with a two-day retreat at its heart, we take a holistic approach to knowledge sharing, adapting to suit the needs of each individual.
Part One Discovery: Uncovering Unique Talents
Our programme begins with a strengths-based assessment to surface the innate talents. Debriefed on a one-to-one basis as part of a Discovery call, we help each individual tap into and celebrate what they uniquely bring.
Part Two Deep-dive for Bones, Brain, Heart and Spirit
The second stage of the programme brings together a cohort of twelve Second Spring Leaders for two days and nights to experience a wide range of workshops, exploring both Eastern and Western perspectives on menopause.
A series of menopause yoga sessions run throughout the two days, including breathwork and meditation to support bones, brain, heart and spirit. Delivered by an accredited menopause yoga teacher, each class is designed specifically to help alleviate symptoms associated with menopause (and no yoga experience is necessary).
Topics for discussion will include cognitive strategies to cope better with symptoms, as well as sign-posting other key approaches such as nutrition. A key focus will be on how to have ‘the conversation’ with colleagues and employers. Facilitated by expert HR advisors, covering the challenges that can be associated with, and the assertive communications required, to ensure appropriate support.
Tapping into the ‘wisdom in the room’ is a key part of the retreat that will carry into the third part of the programme. Through the two days, whether it’s informal discussions or structured action-learning sets, everyone will benefit from the generosity of knowledge shared and problems solved with this unique opportunity for peer-to-peer support.
Part Three Regroup; Deepen and Consolidate
The third part of the Second Spring Leaders programme takes the form of monthly two-hourly online sessions over four consecutive months. The purpose of the regular gathering is two-fold. Firstly, to consolidate and deepen the group’s menopause yoga practice, enjoying the now-familiar alongside new techniques to help alleviate symptoms and strengthen mind and body. Secondly, to tap into the vital wisdom of the group, continuing to support one another practically and emotionally through group problem-solving sessions and relevant knowledge-share.
Sound Interesting?
If you would like to know more about this programme of female renewal, devised to re-energise and celebrate senior executives in mid-life transition of menopause, we’d love to hear from you.
Next Second Spring Programme:
Stage One; ‘Discovery’ starts January 2025
Stage Two: ‘Deep-dive’ two day retreat (dates coming soon) at the Royal Foundation of St Katharine, London EC1.
Stage Three: Monthly evening sessions (dates coming soon)
*The Fawcett Report ‘menopause in the Workplace’ 2022
Jacqui Purdy is a Strengths Unleashed Partner, an accredited Executive Coach, and a qualified Menopause Yoga Teacher.
Photo: Sergey Shmidt (via Unsplash)
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