One of the most talked about methods of developing your people - coaching and mentoring - has emerged as a leading way to accelerate your team's performance. In a world of constant change the role of the management coach or mentor has taken on a formidable mantel.
Many of the top business people of our time have been able to achieve so much so quickly because of the role that coaches and mentors have played in their development. Why has coaching and mentoring become so important for corporate success? Why do so many individuals and organisations value the role it can play? These are just some of the issues tackled by Parsloe and Wray.
In this new book they provide a practical and informative insight into how to develop methods of mentoring in real company situations. They chart the rise of mentoring as a method of accelerated learning. They sketch the `big picture' highlighting the move to the mainstream of mentoring as a method.
The book covers both the theory and practice of coaching and mentoring, ranging from the world of work to education and community action. Parsloe and Wray do a good job of demonstrating how important it is to relate theoretical models to real life situations. In a readable and accessible style, the authors offer insights into matching staff with appropriate mentors, ways of providing constructive feedback and they demonstrate effective questioning techniques. For Parsloe and Wray the learning organisation is here to stay and there is a key role to play for coaching and mentoring. Continuous change requires continuous learning and the role the mentor can play in ensuring accelerated performance is unique.
The book provides seven golden rules for effective mentoring and coaching in organisations. Many organisations will find such a practical and simple approach effective for them. With checklists and guides to best practice this book is a must for anyone who has responsibility for staff development.
David Cooper
