Prioritization, Asking for Help, & Other Important Strategies That Helped Me Excel as a Working Mom

“There is no right or wrong way to be the best mom,” shares Elaine Chong, director of global pricing at nVent. She describes the business segment she works in as an industrial manufacturing company with a vision to support the electrification of everything. “You can read all the books, listen to all the podcasts, and seek all the advice from loved and trusted ones, and while you should consider this advice, every family situation is different.” As such, making decisions together as a family is important. 

From navigating an upcoming parental leave transition at work, to adjusting to life as a new parent, to having a child leave home to start their journey into adulthood (a bittersweet situation that Chong experienced recently), these changes are challenging. So, how can you deal with them? That’s where these two top pieces of advice from Chong come in:

1. “Don’t be afraid to ask for help,” Chong advises. In her case, “I am very fortunate to have a family who is very supportive of my career aspirations, including my husband, who also works full-time, and our children, who have been coached on independence and responsibility since they were young,” she says. “We stay connected as a family remotely, regardless of where we are in the world — including keeping up with my oldest son who just transitioned to college.”

2. Make prioritization a priority. Both personally as a mom and professionally, “I pick a few things that are important to me, then achieve them with focus, determination, and intensity,” shares Chong. “As a mom, I may take a vacation day so I can go on a field trip with my child or volunteer and serve as a board member on a school program. At work, I volunteer as a co-chair of Global Women's Network so that I can help other women have a voice.  With the experiences I have gone through, this is a way for me to support and advocate for women in my company to lead courageously, speak fearlessly, and stand up for their beliefs with tenacity and confidence.”

In this interview, Chong shares her most helpful advice with you! From a peek inside her exciting job and what her maternity leave was like to why nVent is a certified Great Place To Work^® — you’ll find it all here!

To start, can you tell us a bit about your current job?

In my present position as the director of global pricing for nVent’s Enclosures business segment, I spearhead a multinational team located in the U.S., Spain, Mexico, and India.  We are responsible for executing our segments’ commercial strategies, which includes managing customer commercial price agreements and contracts.  

A key part of my role involves devising and implementing robust pricing strategies that align with our diverse market positions and local dynamics by using suitable technological tools and processes. This encompasses the automation of pricing processes through data-driven analytics. Currently, we are thrilled to be developing a global price management tool, which we ambitiously plan to deploy starting next year.

In your personal life, what’s your go-to stress-relief activity or routine?

In early spring this year, I decided to embark on a personal development journey by taking up golf, which has been an incredibly rewarding experience. To ensure that I learn the game properly, I decided to work with a personal coach who has been instrumental in honing my skills and technique.  

One of the most delightful aspects of pursuing golf as a personal goal is the opportunity it has provided for my husband and me to spend quality time together. We have designated Saturday mornings as our golfing time, where we head to the course and enjoy a few hours of friendly competition and shared experiences. It has not only strengthened our bond, but also allowed us to engage in a healthy and enjoyable activity that we both love. The time spent on the course allows me to disconnect from work and other responsibilities, providing a break and a chance to recharge while nurturing meaningful connections with loved ones and new friends we meet on the course.

Can you share how you find balance between your job and personal life?

Work-life balance is not about allocating some precise split of time between work and personal life. It is about finding a harmonious integration of both aspects in a way that meets professional and personal needs and priorities in a fulfilling way.

A recent example is when a work demand required urgent action on a day that I’d taken time off. By utilizing a little extra effort in regards to family communication, flexibility, and creativity, I was able to find a balance and accomplish both professional and personal goals. This type of integration gives me and my family so much more satisfaction.  

Next, what advice can you offer to other moms who are expecting their first child?

Focus on mental, financial, and physical preparation. I hope new moms learn from my mistakes in these areas.The change that comes with having a baby is much more significant that I had imagined or expected.

Mentally, it can be overwhelming to think about all the impacts of a new born baby.  Life now requires more coordination and planning — which takes energy. 

Financially, the change in family budgets can also be significant. It helps to practice the new budget for a few months before the baby arrives. 

And, physically, our body goes through a beating. Personally, with a small frame plus baby weight at full term, I added 40% to my weight. Staying active and practicing self-care is important so your body is ready to handle the changes and stress with having a baby.  

As a working mom, it is also important to remember that one can only be successful at work if the family is well. Take care of your family first, and you will be able to contribute greatly at work as well.

Finally, what’s your favorite aspect of nVent’s culture, and how does nVent aid you in achieving balance?

nVent is a young company (we celebrated our five-year anniversary this past May); however, we also carry established brands that bring along a lot of great history and people. I love that balance of being at a young company in an old industry with high ambition for growth. This situation is only possible with trust — trust in your teams and trust in your colleagues.  Fundamentally, I believe this is why nVent was named a Great Place ToWork^® for two years in a row.

Fairygodboss is proud to partner with nVent. Learn how you can bring bold ideas, be authentic, and help build a more sustainable and electrified world with them today!

Want to learn more about their culture? Hear from women who are thriving in nVent’s culture of inclusion in this webinar!