We love hearing and sharing your stories. We want to find out how people are adapting to their ‘new normal’, what changes they’re making and what they’re learning. Each week, we share a story with you, from people in different jobs (or not in jobs for some), in different places, with different experiences. If you’re interested in sharing your story, we’d love to hear how the ‘new normal’ is for you.
What’s your name and what do you do?
Sarah Jane Mace. I’m a strategy and innovation specialist, working in channels, communications and service transformation. In a nutshell, I lead ace teams and use innovation techniques to try and make stuff better and increase impact.
Current role – Head of Strategic Comms, Design and Development, Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF)
How did you start your day today?
I was awake pretty early today, 5.15am (that’s not typical!). I have to start each day off with a big mug of tea and the news. I read most of the top news stories on the BBC and had a good scroll through Twitter, picking up anything that caught my eye.
Then I did some stretching and checked my diary and to do list for the day, before ‘getting ready for work’. We’re having some floors laid in the house at the minute, so the morning has also consisted of preparing for the workmen to arrive and trying to plan a schedule with limited noise interruptions! I have a big day of interviews ahead of me for a position in my team…
What was a typical day like for you pre Covid-19?
Varied. I have always blended home working with being on location, choosing a working pattern that suits whatever I’ve got on that week. A day ‘in the office’ would mean a short drive, or train journey to York, followed by a series of face-to-face sessions. That could mean having a quick team stand-up first thing, me facilitating a workshop around a problem statement with a range of my colleagues later in the morning, and having a Leadership Team meeting that afternoon. Peppered with lots of Slack chat and interactions around ongoing projects of interest areas. I was also in London a fair bit, so a day there would mostly be about networking, learning from other and growing my contacts.
And what is a typical day like now?
Video calls, lots of them. The subject matters are still varied, but the format is more repetitive than I am used to. We have still been doing workshops, using tools like Miro, so that’s been good and adds some diversity.
What’s been the biggest change to your life (working and personal) in light of Covid-19?
In February, I found out that I was expecting my first baby…so that’s a pretty big change! That was before Covid became ‘real’ so I certainly wasn’t prepared for a lock-down pregnancy, and being classed as vulnerable early-on was a bit of a shock and a worry. Work wise, around the same time, two members of the Leadership Team, who were two of my closest colleagues and sponsors, moved onto new roles. So that whole period was a lot to deal with – especially with all the hormones flying around!
How have you personally had to adapt to accommodate what’s happening?
Both my Husband and I are working from home full time, so we have had to adopt a new routine. We work in different rooms, but have lunch together where possible. We both lead digital teams, so with those areas being in high demand, our workload is extremely high and we’re time poor! Being pregnant and classed as vulnerable has meant that I have limited my contact with others, and have been extra careful in shops and public places, so that has been quite isolating and stressful at times.
And what have been the biggest challenges (working and personal)?
I think each week has brought a new challenge. We are campaigning for social change to solve poverty in the UK and the pandemic has shone a light on the gaping inequalities and challenging circumstances that those on low incomes face. So that has made for an opportunity and a very demanding workload. I lead a large, busy multi-disciplinary team full of amazing individuals. I am a very human-centred leader, so their health and wellbeing has been paramount. I have ensured listening and learning time is available and given safe spaces to explore how we might all be feeling during this time. I think it’s fine and healthy to acknowledge that these are extraordinary times and that the circumstances that we find ourselves in will impact how we think, feel and react to situations at work. Myself and the team have experienced a range of emotions. Personally, I have had a difficult few months, navigating my first pregnancy during lock-down and getting to grips with some significant changes internally that have impacted relationships and dynamics.
What do you miss most about your life pre Covid 19 (working and personal)?
I miss looking in the whites of people’s eyes. I spend a lot of my time facilitating workshops, discussions and problem-solving sessions, and although we have the tools to do that remotely, somethings get lost along the way and the experience isn’t quite the same. I also miss spontaneity. It feels like every minute is planned and you can’t just pop out for a coffee and a natter – masks need to be worn, slots need to be booked and data needs to be handed over.
During the height of lock-down it was rubbish not seeing my friends and family and having to tell them our news over video calls. I really missed their hugs. It’s also been pretty rubbish not being able to pick up much for the new arrival from the shops – online is fine but it hasn’t had the same ‘awww’ affect.
What surprisingly good things have emerged in your life since this began?
I do feel lucky. I have an amazing husband; we get on well and we’re a team. It’s been nice going through this together and working through our list of house jobs one by one…It’s also made me appreciate how much I do value human connection and the importance of making time for the dates that are spoken of, but never actually go in the diary. As Lennon said, ‘life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans’.
What have you learnt about yourself during this?
I think I’m still working that out. I like to think that I am resilient and a pretty tough cookie, working in transformation you kind of have to be, but there have been things during this period that have really got to me. My hormones have certainly affected how I’ve processed things, but I’ve also had some time to think about my role as a leader and a change maker – and what my ambitions and expectations are around work and my relationship with it, and the people that form an organisation’s culture. I always try to do the right thing, not the easy thing and that can be exhausting, but do feel that I need to be in that space. Injustice infuriates me and ignites me. I’ve actually just engaged with a coach to help me grip some clarity around me and my future.
What do you hope we as a society learn from this situation?
A lot. I think we have started learning, but that isn’t a guarantee that we will build back better. I hope that we have had our eyes firmly opened to the systems and structures that surround each of us and that they need to be designed to protect us from harm.
- We’ve seen more people rely on Universal Credit, our public service that should provide an anchor to steady people in rough times. Now is our opportunity to make that a compassionate and just service that we can be proud of, alongside our NHS.
- We’ve witnessed through the A level results debacle how algorithms designed with our existing prejudices and biases and without input from those on the receiving end of their calculations are likely to further entrench disadvantage and hold people back. We need to learn valuable lessons and put user and expert testing and experience at the heart of our public design processes.
- Lock-down demonstrated the unquestionable value of our key workers, yet many of them are trapped in low-paid, insecure work. We can do better than this, now is the time to create good jobs for our great people. Jobs that are designed with our health, security and futures front of mind. This is the just way to thank our key workers for their dedication and sacrifice.
- Research and stories have shown us that homes aren’t safe for everyone. Many people were trapped into violent, dangerous environments and some really struggled in cramped, low-quality accommodation. Many people continue to face pressure from landlords and fear eviction. The government needs to dedicate sufficient resources to working with domestic violence and housing experts to truly get to grips with the lessons learned and to make some bold policy changes that enable more people to have a safe and secure homelife.
The Covid-19 outbreak and lock-down restrictions have highlighted the plight and disadvantage that people living in poverty and marginalised communities face on a daily basis, we need the work alongside people with this experience to build better, stronger systems that enable us all to reach our potential.
What has helped you to cope with your situation?
As I said, I do feel lucky. I do have a safe home with an outdoor space, a secure job and a good personal support network. I am very thankful for those things. I also have the privilege of leading a superb team of talented people who have been incredible allies to me and each other throughout all of this.
What message would you like to pass onto others?
I don’t know if I’m in a position to advise others, to be honest I am just trying to muddle through this and do my best. I think what I would advocate for is having empathy for those around you, those in difficult situations and also being kind to yourself. To leaders, I would say that this experience should have emphasised the necessity of being human-centred, you lead people, not robots or ‘staff’. I think each of us as leaders need to analyse our own behaviour during this time and how it may have impacted either positively or negatively on others, and also if we’ve demonstrated enough empathy to really get alongside and understand those we lead. In my opinion, that’s our duty, it’s not a soft or optional skill, it is a requirement of leadership at this time and as we head into the future.
Finally, what’s on your ‘Playlist’:
- Favourite meal? – I love food!! Erm…probably a beautifully made slow-cooked ragu with lashings of fresh pasta.
- Boxset/film or book – Recently I have loved Normal People and I May Destroy You. Probably my all-time favourite series though is Mad Men.
- Things to do that just make you happy! Making a house a home, I think in my current state they call that ‘nesting’ lol. I love designing rooms, decorating and finding vintage bargains to bring spaces to life. I also like walking in the countryside and by the coast with my hubby. To chill and get cosy, nothing beats a bubble bath, a warm fire, blanket and a movie with one of my four cats purring on my knee!
