Last year, I had the pleasure of interviewing Ranu Sharma, Finance Director at a leading global payments processing company based in London. At the time, Ranu had just returned to work after taking an extended leave of absence to care for her son, who had experienced a life-altering medical crisis. Her story of resilience as a mother and professional resonated with many. You can see that article again here.
Now, a year later, Ranu is celebrating her one-year anniversary back at work, as well as her 40th birthday. Given the impact her story has had on readers, I reached out to her again to discuss her difficult career and the unique challenges of raising two children, including a son with special medical needs. I decided to find out how they continue to maintain this balance. Below is an inspiring update on her journey.
Ranu Sharma is a popular speaker at financial conferences and a working…(+) model of parental resilience.
Ranu Sharma
Returning to work after focusing on raising children is never easy, but for some it’s an incredibly difficult journey. Balancing motherhood with a demanding professional life requires time management and incredible mental strength. This is especially true when your child requires special medical care, as Ranu Sharma discovered when she resumed her career as a finance director.
Looking back on her first full year back on the job, Ranu describes her experience as nothing short of “all in.” “I’ve been working like I don’t have kids and raising kids like I don’t have a job,” she admits. Balancing the responsibilities of being a hands-on mother and an aspiring professional can be challenging, but she embraces it. In addition to her normal parenting duties, Ranu has the additional task of administering life-sustaining drugs to her son, which requires exacting precision and care. “Organization is key,” she says, admitting that her perfectionism drives her to meet high standards both at home and at work, but that it can sometimes be a double-edged sword.
When asked how she maintains the energy required for both roles, Ranu is quick to stress the importance of physical health. “Gym and nutrition!” she declares enthusiastically. Maintaining her physical strength is not only about taking care of herself, but also about taking care of her young children. “The gym is a godsend because by building my physical strength I can play with my kids while sitting on the floor,” she added. By taking care of her health, Ranu has the strength to cope with her busy life.
Through this dual role as a mother and a professional, Ranu discovered an unexpected strength. “I had no idea how strong I was until I ran out of options,” she recalls. She found that balancing the demanding demands of both home and work made her more resourceful and capable in ways she never expected. One of her key strategies to stay on track is to keep everything highly organized. From calendars and lists to batch cooking and printed spreadsheets, Ranu’s approach to managing her son’s medical care and household chores is methodical and practical.
Ranu turned 40 and began to reflect on the hectic years of her life. She has overcome major challenges that have impacted her greatly, including her son’s health crisis and the death of her father. But through it all, she remains proud of her accomplishments, especially for showing her children, especially her daughter, that resilience and attitude are everything. “Your attitude determines your ability to overcome this situation,” she says, and she hopes that’s what she conveys to her children. She is especially proud that she was able to excel in a demanding career while being a pillar of strength for her family. Most of all, she is grateful for the love of her family and friends and credits them with helping her survive these difficult and lonely times.
Being a mother also had a huge impact on Ranu’s leadership style. She has always been empathetic, but this trait has become even more important as she manages teams at work. “So many people are struggling with things we don’t know about,” she explains. Recognizing that a colleague’s “off” day could be a sign of something deeper made Ranu a more considerate leader, and her team responded positively to this. Ta. She earned the respect and admiration of her team by being transparent about her own struggles. “They never made me feel like I wasn’t doing enough,” she says, highlighting how her honesty fostered trust and mutual support.
But being a working mother is not without its challenges. Requests from senior management can sometimes arrive at the most inconvenient times, especially when dealing with time zone differences. Ranu learned to set clear boundaries, reprioritize workloads, and negotiate alternatives when necessary. “If my son needs medication, that takes precedence over a financial report,” she explains. Setting these boundaries won’t hurt her professional relationships. She is transparent about what she can and cannot do and offers alternatives when possible. “It’s about being open and honest,” she says.
Becoming a mother has also changed Ranu’s outlook on her career. She is passionate about her work, but the health of her children always comes first. Her son’s medical struggles made her realize the fragility of life, and her priorities changed accordingly. “A career is a huge bonus to life,” she reflects. “But if my children were taken away from me, it doesn’t matter.” This perspective is one that has shaped her personally and professionally, and it is one she passed on to her son. This is a great lesson. “Work hard, but ensure that happiness and fulfillment are also part of the journey.”
Ranu’s son has greatly influenced her approach to decision-making, both in work and life. Having to make a complex decision that will change his life completely changes her perspective. “What used to be hard now feels easy!” She adds that perspective really is everything.
Dealing with the emotional and logistical challenges of juggling motherhood with a demanding career hasn’t been easy, but Ranu is candid about the support she’s sought along the way. “I had a lot of therapy sessions,” she says. Fitness, nutrition, and therapy are important pillars of her self-care routine, which has helped her overcome pressures in her personal and professional life. She encourages other mothers to take care of themselves without feeling guilty. “You are a product of your own actions,” she explains. By taking care of herself, Ranu is able to contribute more to her family and work.
Therapy also plays an important role in her leadership and decision-making process. By decluttering her mind, she was able to listen to her body, give herself the rest and rest she needed, and manage life’s hectic demands more effectively. “Sometimes you need to stop trying to be a hero,” she advises, stressing the importance of self-awareness and self-care.
For mothers who are hesitant to seek help through therapy, fitness, or other forms of self-care, Ranu’s message is clear. “Please don’t hold back.” “If you are not prepared to withstand life’s challenges, you will fail,” she says. By taking care of yourself first, you will be ready to take on the world.
Ranu feels particularly blessed by the support she has received from her employer. She has been completely transparent about her situation, which has helped her balance her home and office responsibilities. Her company’s culture of trust has helped her grow while also giving her the flexibility to care for her son. “It’s a give-and-take situation, with both sides getting their side of the deal,” she says.
Looking to the future, Ranu hopes to see her son grow stronger and healthier. As her son grows, she continues to balance her career aspirations with her role as a mother, hoping to show other mothers that they can excel professionally while still prioritizing their family. I am. She still has career goals in mind, but is taking it one step at a time. “I’m still striving for bigger and better things, but at a steady pace,” she says.
When I first met Ranu in 2020, I realized she had the potential to become an elite CFO. As for future career moves, Ranu isn’t ruling anything out, but admits that a leap into the CFO role will be a significant one. “The role of vice president feels like the next step,” she says, confident that the right opportunity will come at the right time.
Her advice for other parents in similar situations is both encouraging and hopeful. “Don’t give up on yourself,” she says. After hitting rock bottom, Ranu managed to rebuild her life and now looks toward the future with excitement and gratitude. My son’s resilience, strengthened by his sister’s love and support, is a source of strength and motivation. “There’s always something to be thankful for,” she says. “As soon as you start being more grateful, your life will have meaning and you will find peace no matter what.”
