Discover how Gaëlle Delmas-Watson balances business, family and wellbeing, building a company that drives change
It’s Monday,10 September, 6am. The alarm goes off – it’s time to get moving! I’m Gaëlle Watson: champion of gender equality, founder of SyncSkills Performance (a company specialising in digital learning design and facilitation), mother of two boys, and recreational jogger.
In just over a month, it will be 10 years since I launched SyncSkills and, last week, my eldest son started secondary school. It’s hard to believe we’ve reached these two big milestones and still held onto some semblance of sanity. It’s a perfect moment to reflect on what’s changed and what hasn’t.
“I could see that, at best, I would be squeezed into an operational role and, at worst, I’d be edged out at the first opportunity”
There’s no such thing as a typical week in my life. From last-minute cover for a client to a child falling ill, I’ve learnt to be flexible over the years, though I still regularly experience that wave of frustration when a carefully planned day suddenly demands frantic recalibration.
There was a time when I had no children and was, admittedly, a bit of a workaholic. I loved what I did and the people I worked with, and gave it my all. But things changed when I became pregnant. I began to understand why so many women leave work, overwhelmed by childcare costs, limited maternity pay, stress, social pressure, sleep deprivation and the relentless demand to conform, which can feel like an easier option than challenging the system.
Not working was never an option for me, but returning to work after maternity leave was the most stressful period of my career. I could see that, at best, I would be squeezed into an operational role and, at worst, I’d be edged out at the first opportunity. For my physical health, mental wellbeing, and family’s sake, I resigned and set out to create a business that could make a difference in a field I cared about.
I launched SyncSkills in October 2014, specialising in virtual training, with two core aims:
One: To make management and leadership training accessible to people who couldn’t attend in person, often due to caring responsibilities.
Two: To create a return-to-work programme, helping women build digital skills in learning and development, and work flexibly around school hours.
It was a bit mad, as I had no contacts, no funding and no entrepreneurial experience, but it was worth every risk.
Running a business while raising a family has been, and still is, a rollercoaster, but I wouldn’t trade it. My weekly routine has changed at each new life stage for my children: from childminder to primary school, and now to high school. The business has also evolved, with clear pre and post-Covid distinctions.
I love the variety, flexibility and freedom that comes with running my own business. Each project is vastly different, and we work across diverse industries with unique learner needs. However, small-business ownership is also a series of relentless legal and commercial tasks (see Friday!). Like a child, a business has its ‘dirty nappies’ alongside all the love.
Marketing Monday
Monday is usually dedicated to marketing and social media. Early September, I take the time to plan the year ahead, ensuring both work and home calendars are aligned. Working from home, I quickly realised the importance of connecting with industry peers for my mental wellbeing and professional growth.
Participating in conferences, chairing at Learning Technologies, and judging CIPD awards are voluntary activities that inspire me and improve the quality of the work we deliver to clients. I feel fortunate to have conversations with some of my heroes in the learning and development world, which helps me stay abreast of industry developments, from AI to hybrid learning and impact measurement.
Throughout the year, Marketing Mondays are partly strategic, which I love as new ideas are always bubbling up. However, this also involves a good deal of writing (blogs, whitepapers, etc), which can be challenging. English isn’t my first language, and it takes a particular mindset to produce work I feel is up to standard. Often, I enlist editors to help polish my writing. Yet explaining the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of our work is crucial – it all comes from my ‘little grey cells’, as a heavily accented Hercule Poirot would say!
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
These days are typically devoted to client work, from programme design to facilitation. When I started, most of my client work involved training trainers for virtual classrooms and managing SyncSkills’ international production team. Many of our team members are mums who trained with us through our return-to-work programme. Some have been with us for years, and their dedication is remarkable. Thanks to their experience, I can now dedicate more time to developing partnerships and programmes in inclusive leadership and communication, particularly for remote and hybrid teams. Last year, I even facilitated a programme in French for Francophone Africa – a milestone that felt incredibly rewarding.
4 nationalities and 6 different languages
I also spend time exploring the latest technologies with ed-tech providers. There are fantastic tools available for realistic practice, objective feedback, and data-driven insights into learning behaviours. However, these conversations sometimes feel like speaking a different language, even when in English.
“I mentor young female leaders to help them build a proactive approach to their careers – the kind of support I wish I’d had”
Self-development and growth
Running a business and caring for a young family makes it all too easy to neglect my own skills. After the pandemic, I felt a strong need for personal growth, so I pursued an ILM Level 5 certificate in coaching. It’s taken me much longer to complete than anticipated, but it’s been exactly what I needed. I now mentor young female managers and leaders to help them build a positive, proactive approach to their careers – the kind of support I wish I’d had in my late twenties.
Friday: Finance
Finance tasks may not thrill me, but they’re essential for running a business. Raising invoices, paying suppliers, chasing overdue payments, and managing VAT all come with the territory. For years, I’ve reserved these tasks for Fridays, with the thought of ‘wine o’clock’ as my reward. Recently, I realised I need to improve my financial literacy to foster a sustainable business, so hiring a solid accountant was among my best business decisions.
The ‘life’ in work-life balance
Work-life balance is an elusive goal! Just when I think I’ve achieved equilibrium, something shifts, whether in work or family life. The pandemic was especially disruptive, and I emerged from it more exhausted than I realised. Back then, I judged ‘balance’ by my presence: was I fully present for my clients? My children? For those who matter most? Being present requires self-care, and for me, exercise – typically a jog a few times a week – helps immensely.
Prioritising is vital, even if it means letting go of some things. It’s unrealistic to train for a marathon, maintain a perfect home, cook family-approved healthy meals, post regular content, volunteer, stay culturally active, and manage children’s activities. Accepting that a day has only 24 hours, with seven dedicated to sleep, is the first step to balance.
Read more from the Week In The Life Of series!
Gaëlle Delmas-Watson is Learning Experience Director and Founder at SyncSkills Performance
