Faye McDonough

Monthly reflection has become a habit for me. I don’t always fancy doing it, but I never regret it afterwards. March brought themes of events, transitions and unexpected hope that I’m still processing weeks later.

There’s something powerful about taking stock regularly – it helps you spot patterns, celebrate progress, and carry forward the lessons that matter most.

A Month of Contrasts

March brought a whirlwind of events: a mix of themes from International Women’s Day to scaling businesses, from personal development to fixing the UK housing crisis (and other problems!).

Two messages really hit home throughout the month:

Even with disheartening global and economic headlines, there’s power in hope, resilience through joy, and incredible change-making work happening everywhere. If you’ve been tempted to hide away, don’t. There’s a lot of good going on out there.

Much of this became clear at the Women in Social Finance Annual Retreat. Consider this a nudge to get out there and connect with the communities doing meaningful work in your field.

Starting March with Optimism

The S&W International Women’s Day event at Murray Edwards College, Cambridge was a key reason why I entered this year’s celebration with optimism.

What’s not to love about a tour of the largest Women’s Art Collection in Europe and a keynote from Dorothy Byrne who reminded us we have to do “Everything Everywhere All at Once” to move the needle on diversity and inclusion.

It was a reminder and rally cry to go big! Sometimes we need permission to think boldly about the change we want to see, and that morning provided exactly that energy.

Thanks again to Emma Queen for the invitation – these kinds of events remind you why saying yes to invitations matters so much for your own growth and perspective.

Lessons I’m Carrying Forward

Honesty and Transparency as Leadership Tools

I’ve relied on these heavily during my three-month role transition. It’s been a time of boundary setting and time management if ever there was one.

Being open about challenges, timelines, and capacity has created stronger relationships with colleagues and made difficult conversations easier to navigate. More of the same approach will be needed in April as I aim to leave the team at Reliance in great shape whilst recharging for a new challenge.

Your reflection: Where could honesty serve you better in your current transition or challenge?

The Power of Face-to-Face Conversations

Face-to-face pay review conversations bring insights you’d never get through email – a lesson from a former leader that I always put into practice.

There’s something about being in the same room that creates space for nuanced discussion, reading between the lines, and building understanding that digital communication simply can’t replicate.

Don’t miss the opportunity if you haven’t done yours yet.

Your reflection: What important conversation have you been putting off that would benefit from being in person?

Hope as a Choice

Amidst chat about algorithms and a feed heavily influenced by current events, Sander Van Der Linden’s “The Psychology of Inoculation” keynote at the Bennett Institute for Public Policy conference was refreshingly hopeful.

His message: you CAN protect yourself from misinformation. His book, “Foolproof,” looks like a good place to learn more.

It was a reminder that hope isn’t passive – it’s an active choice we make about how to engage with information and the world around us.

Your reflection: How are you actively choosing hope in your current circumstances?

The Art of Joyful Resilience

The picture I’ve shared is from one of my favourites in the Women’s Art Collection – worth seeing if you’re in Cambridge! It captures the spirit of joyful resilience and hope perfectly and never fails to make me laugh.

There’s something powerful about surrounding yourself with reminders of joy, especially during periods of transition and uncertainty.

Moving Into April

As I reflect on March’s themes – events, transitions, and unexpected hope – I’m reminded that growth often happens in the spaces between where we were and where we’re going.

The events we attend, the conversations we have, and the communities we engage with all shape our perspective and resilience.

Questions for your own reflection:

• What themes emerged in your March?
• Where did you find unexpected hope or joy?
• What lessons are you carrying forward into the next month?
• How are you actively choosing to engage with your professional community?

I’d love to hear your own March reflections. What patterns are you noticing in your own growth and development?

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If you’re looking for your own nudge to get out there and connect, consider what events or communities in your field might offer the kind of perspective shift and energy that can sustain you through your own transitions.