Comeback Coach
COMEBACK COACH is for bright minds returning to work from maternity leave, other extended breaks and facing pivotal career moments. Hosted by chartered coaching psychologist and executive coach, Jessica Chivers, you can eavesdrop on one-time coaching conversations and hear real comeback stories. She’s exactly what you need when being in the role you’re capable of and performing at your best isn’t straightforward.
Comeback Coach
112. COACH - Louise - Pressure to impress senior leaders after maternity - showing commitment to get promoted (and being the only mother on the team)
**Quick link to register interest in the Raising & Rising leadership retreat for mothers in senior roles in February 2026 – CPO’s and HR professionals please register and we'll be in touch about places for your senior female talent.**
Hello Bright Minds, today you are going to eavesdrop on a coaching conversation with a senior woman who is 2 months back from a 10 month maternity leave who wants to show her leadership team she is committed and wants to progress. She’s the only mother in her part of the business and she feels she’s competing with younger colleagues who can work long hours and have little or no immovable demands on them outside of work.
Our conversation starts by Louise – not her real name - outlining two challenges and we quickly move into stakeholder mapping and working out the perceptions she needs to create in two or three key people’s mind. We end with some thinking about energy management and creating ‘rules’ for when she’ll stay late and which after work drinks are worth going to.
My absolute heartfelt thanks to Little Dish, the award-winning children’s food company, for sponsoring this episode of COMEBACK COACH. Find out more at www.littledish.co.uk.
MORE FOR YOU
- DM Jessica on instagram @comebackcommuk
- Get Caremail (free, every other Sunday at 7am)
- Read Mothers Work! How to Get a Grip on Guilt and Make a Smooth Return to Work by Jessica Chivers.
- Watch five coachees talk about working with us
- Connect us to your HR team - bring the Comeback Community™ employee experience to your workplace
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