Halftime
Midlife and Midcareer Reflections of a Johannesburg Woman
by
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As soon as I shut the door, I finally had the privacy to let out all of the emotions and stress that I had been bottling up since midday. I kicked off my work heels and let out a series of sobs. Needless to say, my husband was rather taken aback by what appeared to be a dramatic entrée. To avoid having to explain myself, I reached into my handbag and withdrew the cause of my pain and agony.
He paged through the contract of employment until he found the remuneration section. He sighed, turned toward me, and looked even more confused. “You’re going to be earning a seven-figure salary!” he proclaimed. “Why are you crying?”
Those words hit me like a dagger in the chest. I had finally done it, I thought—traded the highest calling of all (motherhood) for a hefty paycheck!
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About the Book
While giving a farewell speech during her last day as a teacher at the School of Business and Economics, Valerie Ndou finally allowed herself to step out of the cycle she had been enduring after decades of work in organizations and a short stint in academia, and begin reflecting on her many experiences and the lessons learned in the process.
In a deeply personal account of her experiences, Valerie begins by sharing insight into her transition from middle to senior management positions, all while simultaneously attempting to master her roles as wife and mother. As she leads others through her career path and at-home challenges, Valerie discloses the valuable lessons she learned while working in a corporate environment, juggling home and professional responsibilities, stepping into a new role as a teacher, and later while launching her business as a leadership development expert and executive coach.
Halftime reveals the true journey of a South African mother who opted out of the corporate world in midlife to pursue her professional purpose.
About the Author
Valerie Ndou is a leadership strategist and executive coach who helps women and parents navigate the elusive balance between work and being present in their personal lives. She and her husband, Steven, have two children, and reside in Johannesburg, South Africa. Halftime is her first book.