We too often prioritise work over our own needs. This is compounded if you have a disability that might take you away from work for a time, if a new baby has entered your life, or if you’re grieving. Serena Savini lives with a chronic illness and had an accident at work that shed light on this realisation.

Serena is an HR expert, coach, and podcaster who believes that those re-entering work need to be supported in every way possible. For her, the most important thing is to create a comfortable environment where everyone is respected and able to be open and honest about their experiences and needs.

Takeaways from Dan and Pia

• Changing over time requires conscious recognition of your identity. it's not just about build habits and ticking boxes.
• We don't always know how to deal with change, even when we're aware of it. This can lead to what Serena called a "strange and awkward silence”.
• Like the Chinese proverb says, we can't step in the same river twice. As we move on before coming back to a team, so the team itself has changed.
• When the legal system in Italy let Serena down, it was her team that was able to provide support, even as the company itself let her down.
• Although things have moved on, the price of the human we call an employee seems to be very low right now.

Links

• Connect with Serena on LinkedIn
• I’m Back! – Serena’s podcast
• Atomic Habits, by James Clear