Broadcaster Rachel Smalley candidly reflects on feeling supported “for the first time in a long time” in her time in our Breakthrough Leaders programme.
Preparing for a return to our airways, Rachel talks to the power of recharging, recalibrating and connection in an interview with New Zealand Women’s Weekly following a four-year broadcasting break. In kōrero with Wendyl Nissen, Rachel explored new facets of work, and importantly, embraced the support of fellow wāhine in the Breakthrough Leaders leadership programme before making this exciting comeback.
“Then she signed up for a year-long Global Women Breakthrough Leadership programme,” the interview recounts, “and for the first time in a long time she felt supported.”
“But then she signed up for a year-long Global Women Breakthrough Leadership programme and for the first time in a long time she felt supported.”
“I realised that I had become quite isolated with the work I was doing and this programme gave me a network of 30 women from all walks of life who became my besties, and they still are. We have a fantastic WhatsApp group, and we all know so much about each other and the challenges we’ve faced in life,” shares Rachel.
Rachel says during that time the women wrapped themselves around her and encouraged her to set up her own business.
“They told me that was where I would find my purpose and they gave me the confidence to do it.”
“This programme gave me a network of 30 women from all walks of life who became my besties, and they still are. We all know so much about each other and the challenges we’ve faced in life” — Rachel Smalley.
From there, Rachel launched into starting a communications consulting business, where she helps charities and corporates refine their storytelling. As Rachel forays back into radio, this work will continue to be part of her day to day.
“Most of my work is helping corporate people like CEOs relate to and connect with people instead of just talking about the business. They learn to share some stories about their own life with people.”
Read Rachel’s full story with New Zealand Women’s Weekly and her musings from her four year break through Now to Love, here.