Reality check#1
Before children (BC), I remember being totally annoyed by people with kids leaving early. What gave them the right to leave at 5 whilst I (inevitably) picked up the slack? Oh the irony. I think of those time rich days compared to my current reality of the Olympic like sprint to the station, the dread of a delayed or, worse, cancelled train, the jog to the nursery, the screaming kids, bath time, milk, stories, dinner, dishwasher, tv, slob out, bed, bed, bed.
 
Reality check #2
There is a woman at work I used to idolise. Call it a girl crush if you like but I could not help admire how she effortlessly managed to look chic and fearsome at the same time. When she started the agency couldn't get enough: despite two kids, she had master minded one of the most audacious CSR PR campaigns in the industry, she could truly kick butt in a male dominated board, she held no prisoners, she was opinionated, intelligent and ambitious. No wonder I had a crush.

It’s dispiriting how agencies manage to crush women like this. The inevitable daily politics, having to manage a senior career whilst leading a family, being hated for being tough, ambitious and determined. I hate to say that she is a shadow of her former self. Her influence within the agency has been eroded and she is wheeled out for her past successes rather than for her current triumphs.

I wonder how much of her failing can be put to the agency. Has the agency really created an environment for her to succeed when we all know that as soon as you try to fit any kind of flexible working into an agency balls inevitably get dropped.

Are there any real role models out there in the communications industry?
Can you really succeed part-time?

This blog has been posted by a former PR executive in a global firm now involved in a range of fulfilling journalistic initiatives.