University of Minnesota - UMN Executive Leadership Insights
Mentoring Executives and Directors
Book

Mentoring Executives and Directors

David Clutterbuck and David Megginson
Routledge, 1999
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Editorial Rating

7

Qualities

  • Well Structured
  • Concrete Examples
  • For Beginners

Recommendation

Human resources experts David Clutterbuck and David Megginson – and the experts they interviewed – stress the importance of mentoring and coaching at the executive and board level. Mentors who work with executives and board members may delve into career guidance, competency building, relationships, wellness, spirituality and many other areas. Coaching also can encompass a variety of relationships, goals and outcomes. Written in 1999 and updated in 2011, this book has some ideas that seem dated. However, its mentoring principles are timeless. Its 22 case studies explore the benefits of becoming a mentor and illuminate what having a mentor does and can do for leaders and board members. getAbstract recommends this bright, short read to anyone interested in mentoring.

Summary

Not Just for Up-and-Comers

Mentors guide leaders through their duties, obstacles and changes. They provide support and encouragement to their mentees – even those who are already high-ranking corporate leaders – by helping them reach new insights, see different perspectives and acquire deeper knowledge of themselves and their goals.

The higher you climb up the corporate ladder and the more responsibility and stress you take on, the greater your need for mentoring will become. Executives and members of boards of directors must devote time to “personal reflection.” They must think about what they’ve learned, process it and gain insights leading to better decision making for their organizations.

For this reason, executives and directors should seek the guidance of mentors. But leaders seldom take the time to reflect – and the few who do, tend to do so alone.

Executive Mentors and Executive Coaches

Executive mentoring has grown due to greater pressure and demands on executives and a time squeeze that can deny them balance between home and work. Senior leaders need assistance in “career planning,” in making the transition...

About the Authors

David Clutterbuck of Clutterbuck Associates runs the European Mentoring and Coaching Council. David Megginson, professor emeritus at the UK’s Sheffield Hallam University, founded its Coaching & Mentoring Research Unit.

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