A three-month holiday to travel through South America was a lifelong dream for Sydney marketing director Ayaan Mohamud. But approaching her boss with the proposal took some courage.

“I thought I’d have to quit my job and take six months off, then return and find a new job. But I’m in a job I really love and was desperate to travel, so wanted to find a way to make it work,” the 38-year-old says.

Ayaan Mohamud (left) with best friends Sophia Warren, says negotiating extended leave was nerve-racking.

She invited her boss for a coffee and laid out her plan on the table. She explained her dream to travel and her hope to return to her role after the break. “It was one of the most nerve-racking conversations I’ve ever had,” she says.

Ayaan had worked for the marketing company for four years and had no desire to have children, and she explained to her boss that she would never take advantage of the maternity leave options extended to her colleagues.

She also offered solutions to........

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