Nicki Seignot
Established coach, mentor and facilitator as well as the creator of ‘MumtoMum’ an innovative maternity mentoring programme introduced to the Asda Wal-Mart Home Offices in 2011.
David Clutterbuck
Co-founder of the European Mentoring & Coaching Council, Visiting Professor at Sheffield Hallam, York St John and Oxford Brookes Universities in the UK, and practice lead for the global community of Coaching and Mentoring International.
Returning to work following maternity leave can be complicated, both practically and emotionally. Through their pragmatic Parent Mentor approach David Clutterbuck and Nicki Seignot demonstrate the role mentoring for new parents can play in promoting and embedding a supportive mentoring culture. Their business plan provides a sound argument, and with a proven track record working with Asda Walmart, this tried and tested approach will prove a linchpin to retention of this mission critical talent pool.
However, the value of this approach, the discussions and tools reaches well beyond that of human resources. It provides a welcome enhancement to ones coaching arsenal in constructing a deeper understanding of how best to support and develop your coaching clients returning to their professional roles after starting a family.
Finally, I originally read this text with my Coach-mentor hat on. Throughout I found myself constantly reminded of my own experience returning to work in Medicine following maternity leave. What a difference it would have made to have understood my own journey better and have gained greater control over the process. In an attempt to optimise others experience, I now recommend this book to all my friends and colleagues returning to professional roles following maternity, paternity or adoption leave.
In an era when, more than ever, knowledge is power Mentoring New Parents at Work is an indispensable text for anyone serious about managing and supporting their staff; and for professional parents wanting to taking control of their career and future.