Most managers want to support working parents. Few have ever been shown how.

What happens after an employee becomes a parent can shape their confidence, career progression and sense of belonging for years to come. Yet many managers are left to navigate these conversations without any real guidance.

In this episode, leadership and career growth coach Fiorenza Rossini explores how managers, leaders and organisations can better support working parents, by creating the conditions for them to continue growing and thriving, instead of lowering expectations.

Drawing on her experience coaching professionals through career transitions, leadership development and the identity shift that comes with parenthood, Fiorenza shares practical insights for anyone leading a team.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

* The common assumptions managers make after an employee becomes a parent

* Why career development conversations shouldn’t stop after parental leave

* How to create a greater sense of belonging for working parents

* Simple leadership practices that help retain and develop talented people

* Questions every manager can ask to better support working parents

Whether you’re a manager, team leader, HR professional, senior leader, or a working parent yourself, this episode will help you rethink what effective leadership looks like during one of life’s biggest transitions.

“Perhaps the most valuable thing that any manager can do is replace assumptions with curiosity.”, says Fiorenza.

🔎 Jump in

03:09 Becoming a parent changes you - that’s just the reality04:01 The load we can realistically carry has changed05:28 Don’t assume: ask (aka the power of curiosity)06:23 Career conversations should never stop07:32 Visibility or performance08:54 The importance of small moments and showing up09:53 Recognising parenthood as a leadership skill

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating and review

🔗 Links & resources

* Connect with Fiorenza Rossini on Linkedin.

* Explore coaching, leadership workshops and speaking: here

Topics covered:Working parents | Leadership | People management | Career progression | Parental leave | Employee wellbeing | Workplace culture | Belonging | Inclusive leadership | Talent retention | Career development | Working mothers | Working fathers