On this episode Kat is joined by Lirette Mill, an HR expert working in education, who shares her story of 7 stone weight loss and the number one positive habit that gets her in a really high performing state for the day ahead. KEY TAKEAWAYS With covid, a lot of organisations have shifted to hybrid flexibility, but the school environment doesn’t always allow for that. Sometimes getting work life balance may be working from home one day a week, and most schools can’t offer that. That means workloads can seem even more as you must be on site every day. How schools achieve that will really help members of staff with their wellbeing. We’re starting to work with school to see if they can think more strategically and out of the box with regards to this and aid recruitment and retention. Being a female in a leader position with 2 small children, I’ve always worked full-time and have never thought about being part-time because I wonder if I could still be that leader of the division. We need to embrace flexibility in terms of leadership models and look at co-leadership models. That’s something I’d like to see so much more in the education sector. One of my negative habits was I constantly felt guilt that I wasn’t spending enough time with my children. I’d work every hour I could  and any spare hour I had I’d put into my children. The reason I say it’s a negative is that I didn’t take any time for myself to look after myself, I wouldn’t eat properly and would snack, and I’d reward us with food and treats, which is lovely but wasn’t doing my or my children’s health any favours. I’ve lost 7 stone in the last 2.5 years after a few health scares and have started looking after myself by having a healthier lifestyle. What’s been lovely for me to realise is that my children enjoy coming running or training with me.  BEST MOMENTS “All too often I hear that people don’t want to ask, they’re too frightened to ask for flexibility. If we can give them the confidence to do that and organisations embrace co-working, how fabulous would that be?” “Putting music on and turning it up really makes you come alive and feel special.” “like to get up earlier than everyone else in house with a cup of coffee and reflect, no devices.” “If I’m feeling sad or anxious about something I go for a run and somehow, getting out into the fresh air calms me and puts me into a positive frame of mind. I’s my number one positive habit.” ABOUT THE GUEST Lirette Mill has more than ten years of HR expertise in the educational sector. She holds a post-graduate degree in Legal Practice in addition to her undergraduate law degree and CIPD certification. Lirette began her legal career in 2003 while employed by a sizable private law firm in Kent. In 2010, she relocated to HR Connect. Lirette has a track record of successfully resolving disputes and is very competent at handling employee grievances. She works well with all types of stakeholders and has good communication skills to ensure that Kent Teach and HR Connect Advisory's services are delivered successfully. The Safer Recruitment Consortium has certified Lirette as a Safer Recruitment trainer. She presently serves as a governor at an infant school that is controlled by the Church of England. She serves as the Policy Committee Chair and Co-Chair of the Quality of Education Committee as part of her governor duties. LinkedIn ABOUT THE HOST Kat started her career as a teacher, before moving into Tech where she worked in different executive roles within teaching and consulting working across the globe, both in the public and private sector. Despite appearing 'successful' on the outside, she paid a heavy ‘life’ price. In 2016, her whole world collapsed. The reason? The compound effect of years of unhealthy and toxic habits that destroyed her health, relationship and career. She suffered a severe breakdown and lost everything. In the middle of this she g