My new perfect is my imperfect!
(19, 14, and nine years old)
Dr. Annabella Bassler is the CFO of the Swiss media and technology company Ringier, where she initiated the EqualVoice initiative. Its goal is to make women more visible in media reporting and to promote the equality of women and men. Her advice to working mothers: dare to be less perfectionistic!
How have you experienced and managed to combine family and career as a professionally successful woman and mother?
Combining family and career is undoubtedly a challenge, but also an important and fulfilling task. As CFO of the media company Ringier and initiator of EqualVoice, as well as a mother of a son, I have learned that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to achieving this balance perfectly, as everyone’s requirements and circumstances are unique – but one thing always helps, which is humor. In my opinion, the coexistence of family and career is a continuous process that can change over time. It requires commitment, creativity, and flexibility. But it is worth it and has helped me grow both professionally and personally.
Sheryl Sandberg talks openly in her book Lean In about moments when she faltered as a mother. In Brave, Not Perfect: Fear Less, Fail More, and Live Bolder, Reshma Saujani advises women to have more courage and less perfectionism. Were there moments for you as a mother that were more challenging than others? Or moments when you wondered if it is possible to manage everything? What helped you in that moment?
Yes, as a mother and working woman, there were definitely moments that were more challenging than others, and times when I questioned whether I could manage everything. These moments are part of life and the balancing of family and career. Like Sheryl Sandberg and Reshma Saujani, I also learned important lessons in such moments. It is important to understand that perfectionism can often be an obstacle – the goal should always be to do your best, but also to allow yourself to make mistakes and learn from them. Courage is also of crucial importance. Sometimes it takes courage to make unconventional decisions to reconcile family and career. Overall, I have learned that there is no perfect balance between family and career, but it is possible to find a meaningful and fulfilling integration that fits my life. These experiences have made me stronger and helped me grow both as a mother and in my professional role.
How do you organize your daily routine as a woman in a leadership position and a mother? Do you consciously take time for the family? Or do you have another “recipe for success”?
My “recipe for success” is a mix of different points:
Effective time planning: a structured schedule is essential. Setting priorities for professional tasks and family time. I am also a big fan of to-do lists, so I keep track of various projects, topics, and always know where we stand.
Delegating: the world’s best team supports me – I can rely on my team at any time and delegate various tasks.
Clear communication: openly discuss expectations, needs and challenges with partners, children and employers. Good communication facilitates coordination.
Self-care: I also make sure to take time for myself. A healthy mental and physical condition helps to be successful in both career and family.
What are the hurdles in Switzerland for working mothers?
In Switzerland, despite progressive societal development, working mothers still have to overcome some hurdles. Some of the challenging aspects include:
Childcare: the availability of affordable and flexible childcare can be a problem. Often, care places are limited, and long waiting lists are not uncommon.
Part-time work: although part-time work is an attractive option for many working mothers, it can negatively affect career development and income.
Wage inequality: in Switzerland, there is still a gender pay gap. Working mothers are often affected by this inequality and earn less on average than their male counterparts.
Traditional roles: although attitudes are changing, traditional gender roles are still present in some areas. This can lead to working mothers facing prejudices or expectations that could limit their professional development.
What can be done against the discrimination of mothers in the workplace?
To combat the discrimination of mothers in the workplace, companies must ensure equal opportunities, offer flexible working conditions and support parental leave policies. Gender sensitivity training and the promotion of female leaders are also crucial. Transparency in salary structures and legal frameworks for gender equality can further improve the situation. Creating a supportive network for mothers and promoting positive role models are also important steps towards eliminating the disadvantage of mothers in the profession.
In the end, it is also a matter of society. We must stop criticizing women for wanting to achieve professional success alongside their motherhood and stop praising men to the skies for spending Saturday morning with the children – family, household and career should be lived and shared equally. Both women’s and men’s roles should be redefined – here, too, we need role models.
What role do good childcare services play for you and your family, or what role have they played?
This was, of course, an important issue for our family. My son always enjoyed his time in the various care options, was encouraged and challenged. This gave me the opportunity to focus on my profession alongside my motherhood.
What would you advise women who want to combine family and career?
From my experience, one of the most important points is to set clear priorities: what is really important? And does it help me achieve my purpose? This helps to use time and energy effectively – in private life and in the profession. Another important point is open communication with the partner, family and employer. Together, a good solution can be found in (almost) any situation.
Another important point that I always notice: it is sometimes difficult for many working women (and men) to delegate and accept support. It is time that we learn to delegate certain tasks in the private sphere or accept support from family, friends or professional service providers. No one expects us to manage everything alone.
And what must not be forgotten: stop with the perfectionism – my new perfect is my imperfect!
“It is important to understand that perfectionism can often be an obstacle – the goal should always be to do your best, but also to allow yourself to make mistakes and learn from them.”