International Women's Day 2017

To celebrate International Women’s Day, we catch up with one of our inspirational colleagues, Joanna Moonan, who is Operations Director here at MOL.

Here Joanna tells us who has inspired her along the way…..

As a mother who worked throughout with now grown up children, I find that what has inspired me most are those women who can seem to make it all work. I started my career as a teacher and worked with a colleague who taught full time and had 5 children under 12 at home. She always seemed calm and organised and yet I could not imagine the chaos at home on a regular basis. There weren’t any family friendly policies when my children were small so the choices were work or don’t work but part time was not an option.

In later years, I have worked with several women who have demonstrated how to be a leader, how to be firm and clear but to also own the compassionate and empathetic side of their natures. 
 
Last week I went to MOL’s Masters in Strategic HRM workshop and was struck by the number of women there who have multiple responsibilities - from the working mum of three who studies when her children go to sleep in the evenings, to the working mother and daughter who cares for her mother and studies when she sleeps over to provide that care. 
 
It is remarkable how many women juggle tasks and responsibilities and I’m sure they are supported by their partners at home. I can see the self-management benefits they bring into the workplace and how family friendly policies make it possible for women to continue to multitask.  
 
I’d like to give a shout out to the women who endlessly and positively manage it all with such grace. It really does throw the spotlight on that old phrase ‘if you want something done give it to a busy person’.