Penny Lyn Manalo, Renewals Team Leader in our FT Professional Sales team in Manila shares her journey, the lessons she’s learned, and how trust, balance, and self-compassion have helped her thrive in both her personal and professional life. As a single mum, she has navigated the challenges of leadership while prioritising family, thanks to the FT’s flexible and inclusive work culture. 

My journey as a single mum and an FT Renewals Team Lead has been one of resilience and balance. Juggling work and parenting isn’t easy, but I’ve learned to prioritise, stay organised, and embrace flexibility. The FT’s supportive culture has allowed me to grow professionally while still being present for my child.

As a leader, I strive to pay that forward by fostering an empathetic and balanced work environment. My experience has shown that you don’t have to choose between career and family, with determination and the right support, you can thrive in both.

One of the biggest challenges I face is managing my time and energy between my responsibilities as a team lead and a single parent. There are days when work demands peak just as my child needs me the most, making it tough to balance both roles.

To navigate this, I rely on strong organisation, clear priorities, and flexibility, both from myself and from the FT’s supportive work culture. I set realistic goals, establish boundaries, and remind myself that I don’t have to do everything perfectly every day. Most importantly, I embrace self-compassion and focus on progress over perfection.

The FT have been incredibly supportive in helping me balance my career and parenting. With flexible working arrangements, a culture of understanding, and a leadership team that values well-being, I’ve been able to succeed in both roles.

I’ve had the trust and autonomy to manage my time effectively. The FT’s strong emphasis on work-life balance, along with a supportive manager and team, has made a huge difference, enabling me to grow in my career without feeling like I have to choose between work and family.

My advice to single mums juggling a career and parenting is to embrace balance, not perfection. Some days, work will take priority; other days, family will, and that’s okay.

You don’t have to choose between a successful career and being a great mum, with determination and the right support, you can thrive in both.

You’re doing enough. Balance isn’t about perfection, it’s about prioritising what matters most in the moment and giving yourself grace on tough days. Some days, work will demand more; other days, family will, and that’s okay.

Lean on support, set boundaries, and trust that your efforts, both at work and at home, are shaping a bright future for you and your child. You’re stronger than you think, and you’re not alone in this journey.

Trust is the FT value that resonates with me the most. As a Renewals Team Lead, building and maintaining trust is at the heart of everything I do, whether it’s fostering strong relationships with our FT Professional subscribers, leading my team with transparency and support, or ensuring we deliver on our commitments.

I’d love to highlight how the FT champions work-life balance and inclusivity, creating an environment where professionals, especially parents, can thrive without sacrificing personal commitments. Stories like mine show that career growth and parenthood can go hand in hand, thanks to the FT’s flexibility, trust, and supportive culture. 

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