Coaching is based on the premise we must understand people before we can coach them. Flaherty asks fundamental questions rather than supply "easy to apply" tips and surface bandaids. "Coaching is not telling people what to do; it's giving them a chance to examine what they are doing in the light of their intentions." (from the Preface) "A coach is someone who builds a respectful relationship with a client and then researches the situations the client finds himself in, with particular emphasis on the client's interpretation of the events." (from Chapter 1) Then, in partnership with the client, the coach can work to altering actions to bring about expected outcomes. This book provides the language and operative principles and assessment models and sample coaching conversations necessary to do that.
The book is grounded in many different paths of wisdom including time-tested philosophies, sociological premises and psychological discussions. Chapter bibliographies encourage further interdisciplinary reading.
Review quote:
"At long last, a book on coaching that moves beyond 'advice from the sidelines.' James Flaherty convincingly shows that the only way to truly help people grow is to help them in developing new practices and new language, and that the only way to coach effectively is to enter into a reciprocal relationship where 'coach' and 'coachee' engage in a dance of mutual influence and growth." - Peter M. Senge, MIT and Society for Organizational Learning
"The professional and aspiring coach who picks up this book will find the 'mother load' of coaching's guiding principles. James Flaherty has devoted his career to synthesizing and teaching the fundamentals of coaching. His models open up the conceptual framework for continuous learning for the coach and the coached." - Karen Otazo, Managing Director, Executive Coaching Connection, London, Los Angeles, and Hong Kong
"It is a beautiful example of the work of a scholar practitioner whose goal is to link theory and application." - Charlie Seashore, Faculty, Ph.D. Program in Human Organization Development, Fielding Institute, Santa Barbara, CA
"In an emerging discipline where serious practitioners are seeking reputation for integrity and outcomes, it is helpful to discover an advocate for rigor, discipline, and fundamentals..." - John Hofmeister, Director of Human Resources, Royal Dutch Shell, The Hague, London
"James Flaherty's book is full of useful and practical ways to develop the crucial and important skill of coaching..." - Jill Dodwell-Gorves, Senior Manager, Training and Development, Jardine Pacific, Hong Kong
Table of contents:
- The Foundation for Coaching *Basic Principles * The Flow of Coaching * The Coaching Relationship* Openings *Assessment Models *Enrollment * Coaching Conversations* Track Two: Working With Ourselves * Conclusion * Appendix A: Self-Observation Exercises¦Business, Relationship, Personal* Appendix B: Practices*Bibliography
The book is grounded in many different paths of wisdom including time-tested philosophies, sociological premises and psychological discussions. Chapter bibliographies encourage further interdisciplinary reading.
Review quote:
"At long last, a book on coaching that moves beyond 'advice from the sidelines.' James Flaherty convincingly shows that the only way to truly help people grow is to help them in developing new practices and new language, and that the only way to coach effectively is to enter into a reciprocal relationship where 'coach' and 'coachee' engage in a dance of mutual influence and growth." - Peter M. Senge, MIT and Society for Organizational Learning
"The professional and aspiring coach who picks up this book will find the 'mother load' of coaching's guiding principles. James Flaherty has devoted his career to synthesizing and teaching the fundamentals of coaching. His models open up the conceptual framework for continuous learning for the coach and the coached." - Karen Otazo, Managing Director, Executive Coaching Connection, London, Los Angeles, and Hong Kong
"It is a beautiful example of the work of a scholar practitioner whose goal is to link theory and application." - Charlie Seashore, Faculty, Ph.D. Program in Human Organization Development, Fielding Institute, Santa Barbara, CA
"In an emerging discipline where serious practitioners are seeking reputation for integrity and outcomes, it is helpful to discover an advocate for rigor, discipline, and fundamentals..." - John Hofmeister, Director of Human Resources, Royal Dutch Shell, The Hague, London
"James Flaherty's book is full of useful and practical ways to develop the crucial and important skill of coaching..." - Jill Dodwell-Gorves, Senior Manager, Training and Development, Jardine Pacific, Hong Kong
Table of contents:
- The Foundation for Coaching *Basic Principles * The Flow of Coaching * The Coaching Relationship* Openings *Assessment Models *Enrollment * Coaching Conversations* Track Two: Working With Ourselves * Conclusion * Appendix A: Self-Observation Exercises¦Business, Relationship, Personal* Appendix B: Practices*Bibliography