My coach has been an invaluable support from me on returning to work and made the process much easier to cope with and helped me to adjust.
Jane - Maternity Coaching Client
Executive Coaching
Supporting women at key inflection points is critical in achieving greater gender diversity in leadership positions. We have been offering maternity coaching in media and advertising agencies since 2011. However, it is no longer solely women who are able to take extended leave around the arrival of a new baby and who might need support with that transition. Society is changing its expectations about parenting roles and now companies are rightly supporting the legal measures on parental leave with wider support to both men and women so that those changing expectations can be met.
Our parental coaching package extends to Dads, adopting parents and same-sex parents considering extended or shared parental leave.
Our traditional parental transition coaching package offers support through four stages. We have found that involving the line manager is effective in opening up the conversation between line manager / direct report and encourages a longer-term commitment to development. To that end, they are invited to join for 30-minutes of the first and third stage sessions:
- Prior to going on parental leave - 1.5 hour session + 30 mins with manager at start (supporting individual to get clarity on personal & professional objectives for coaching, agree SMART coaching goals & work through with line manager to agree)
- During the parental leave - 1.5 hour session (this is about preparing for returning to work. We might support with logistics around child care or we might have a higher level conversation around career goals.)
- Return to business - 1.5 hour session + last 30 mins with manager (transitioning back to business & any arising coaching requirements. Finally looking back on all the stages and whether they've met objectives set, discuss any further support or development needed and set actions, line manager & coachee to align on support/development requirements/actions)
- Checking in - 1 hour session by Skype to check in with coachee 3 – 6 months in to their return-to-work and support with any challenges that are arising.
Parental Transition Coaching
1:1 coaching supporting parents through this key transition. Parental coaching has been proven to enhance retention rates and support employees in hitting the ground running upon their return.
Coaching
3-6 sessions
I am finding this whole process immensely positive, useful and more importantly actionable. I was able to go into my maternity relaxed about work which really allowed me to switch off before the birth of my son and really get my mind focused on the most important thing – his arrival and me becoming a mum! I currently feel confident about my role and am not sweating the small stuff. I also have a real sense of purpose in wanting to share this experience with other women to encourage others to go on this journey and to ensure that their maternity experiences are as positive as mine currently is. Every single mum we have deserves that. You have truly inspired me and I want to thank you wholeheartedly for that.