Faye McDonough

Closing one chapter, opening another… I do a monthly round-up of wins and learnings, so here are my April reflections.

This month has been about wrapping up work at Reliance and handing over ahead of my holiday. It’s been a month of riding the waves of change, saying goodbye to a brilliant team and completing my final commute to London.

There’s something profound about ending well – both for yourself and the people you’re leaving behind.

Professional Wins That Matter

1. Proud of My Team

We held our final one-to-ones this month. I’m so proud to have played a part in their career journey and it was brilliant to share highlights of the last two years together.

These conversations reminded me why leadership is fundamentally about people. Seeing team members grow, develop confidence, and take on new challenges has been one of the most rewarding aspects of this role.

Final one-to-ones aren’t just administrative – they’re an opportunity to reflect on growth, celebrate achievements, and offer encouragement for what’s next.

2. New Opportunities for My Team

Two team members have secured new roles. Such a pleasure watching them flourish.

There’s nothing quite like seeing people you’ve worked with step into opportunities that challenge and excite them. 

It reinforces that good leadership creates ripple effects – the development you invest in people travels with them into their next roles.

3. Investing Time in Structure Pays Dividends

No handovers to write or processes to document. It’s all there and my conversations focused on capability and confidence building.

This was a game-changer. Instead of spending final weeks frantically documenting processes, I could focus on what really mattered – ensuring the team felt confident and capable to continue the work.

Your reflection: How are you setting up your current work so that transitions (planned or unexpected) are smoother?

Key Learnings from Transition

Letting Go Happens in Stages

Working a three-month notice feels surreal. Team dynamics shift quickly – from the moment I resigned even. I’ve incrementally released what I’ve built, which feels both challenging and liberating.

There’s no handbook for how to disengage from work you’ve been deeply invested in. It’s an emotional process that unfolds gradually, not all at once.

The challenging part is watching things continue without your input. The liberating part is seeing that they can – and often should.

Your reflection: What are you holding onto too tightly that could benefit from a lighter touch?

Prioritise Time with Work Friends

Fitting in final Thames-side walks with colleagues and catching up with London friends has been lovely. It reinforces how vital these connections are.

Work relationships often become some of our most meaningful friendships, but we can take them for granted when we see people daily. Transition periods highlight how much these connections matter.

Reminder to you: make time now rather than later! Don’t wait for a goodbye to invest in the relationships that energise you.

Your reflection: Which work relationships deserve more of your time and attention right now?

Career Fulfillment Comes from Deliberate Design

This month my Board and career work came together beautifully. Not by chance.

It’s taken a long time to create and it’s been deliberately crafted, but reaching that sweet spot feels really rewarding.

This alignment didn’t happen overnight. It’s been the result of intentional choices about what opportunities to pursue, what skills to develop, and how to position myself for the kind of work that energises me.

Your reflection: What would deliberate career design look like for you right now?

The Power of Goodbyes Done Well

I’ve been humbled by everyone’s thoughtfulness with goodbye gifts and messages. Goodbyes offer a brilliant opportunity to show appreciation – both ways!

There’s an art to ending well. It’s about expressing genuine gratitude, acknowledging what you’ve learned from others, and leaving people feeling valued for their contribution to your journey.

Looking Ahead: The Importance of Rest

On the horizon for May: REST. I’ve got a couple of final things to wrap up and then it’s feet up, book open, and yoga on. Not necessarily in that order obviously!

Transition periods are intense – emotionally and practically. Building in proper recovery time isn’t luxury; it’s essential preparation for what comes next.

Rest allows you to process change, recharge your energy, and create space for new possibilities to emerge.

Questions for Your Own Reflection

As you think about your own April (or current transition period):

• What professional wins are you most proud of?
• How are you handling letting go of things you’ve built?
• Which work relationships deserve more of your attention?
• What would deliberate career design look like for you?
• When did you last prioritise proper rest and recovery?

I’d love to read your own reflections and wins. What patterns are you noticing in your own professional development?

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Picture collection features the incredible London skyline (photo credit to Kat Hutchings – you can almost see where we met for lunch!) and some of my goodbye gifts. Sometimes the end of one chapter creates the perfect space to appreciate how much you’ve grown and the connections you’ve built along the way.