The COACH Model for Christian Leaders

by Keith E. Webb

Do you have the leadership skills you need to solve problems, reach goals, and develop others?

The COACH Model™ is a radically different approach to leading people. Rather than provide answers, leaders ask questions to draw out what God has already put into others. Learn how to create powerful conversations to assist others to solve their own problems, reach goals, and develop leadership skills in the process.

Whether you are working with employees, teenagers, or a colleague living in another city, you’ll find powerful tools and techniques you need to increase your leadership effectiveness.

The COACH Model for Christian Leaders is packed with stories and illustrations that bring the principles and practice to life. Based on first-hand experience and taught around the world, this book will transform your conversations into powerful learning and results.

Genres: Leadership, Christian, Nonfiction, Church, Personal Growth, Personal Development, Counselling

182 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Keith E. Webb, DMin, is an ICF Professional Certified Coach, author, and speaker specializing in leadership development. He is the founder and President of Creative Results Management, a global training organization focused on equipping leaders.

For 20 years, Keith lived in Japan, Indonesia, and Singapore. These experiences led him to question conventional leadership practices. Now he writes and speaks on topics related to leadership.

Keith created the COACH Model® and a series of International Coach Federation (ICF) approved coaching training programs. Using his humorous and practical style of delivery, he has delivered leadership development programs to leaders in over 30 countries.

He is the author of The COACH Model of Christian Leaders, Coaching In Ministry, The Reflective Journal for Coaches, Overcoming Spiritual Barriers in Japan, and is co-author of Coaching In Asia. Keith blogs at keithwebb.com.

He is committed to creating work-based systems that develop people while multiplying their impact and results.

Reviews

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely phenomenal.
I picked this up at the recommendation of a friend after taking on a new “coaching” role within the organization I work with. This book certainly has been helpful in training for that role, but what surprised me was how applicable the principles of coaching apply in all of ministry and even life in general. I wish everyone in ministry would read this.

Major takeaways:
-A lot of times we want to share information and advice when asking powerful questions would better serve the other person.
-When working with fellow Christians, we can trust the Holy Spirit to work in them rather than forcing what we think needs to be done.
-People own what they come up with.
-Less talking, more listening.

“Coaching involves listening to others, asking questions to deepen thinking, allowing others to find their own solutions, and doing it all in a way that makes people feel empowered and responsible enough to take action.”

“Coaching supports and encourages the calling, gifting, and unique potential God has given each person.”

[Emily Seydell · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5 stars. basically a guide about how to ask someone a personal question, with reminders every 3 paragraphs that he lived overseas for 20 years

[Anita Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am taking traing to be certified using this method. I really liked this book. I think it will help me in my relationships with people even if I never become a life coach.

[Peter Twele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Webb does a good job of laying out the COACH model ... listening to others (rather than giving answers) and asking questions as they figure out their own way forward, solve their own problems, while you, the coach, are at their side.

[Jeremy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a simple and straightforward coaching model that would be very accessible to anyone wanting to hone basic coaching skills for use in personal or professional relationships.

[Jonny · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great little book that offers a novel approach toward transformational coaching. Consent-based, space oriented, non-coercive. Really good for pastors, especially.

[Lauren Terwilliger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked how the author helped shift my perspective from how to think like a consultant (has the end goal in mind, gives their recommendations, owns action items) to that of a coach (asks good questions, guides the coachee to an outcome they’ve crafted, doesn’t own action items but checks in on progress and celebrates any forward movement). I took one star off because it would have been helpful to have a framework on how to do that or to expound on the examples they gave, showing how they actually coached the client and followed through. Ultimately, it was a good read but I wanted a little bit more examples to follow.

[Michael Manuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was first introduced to the practice of coaching earlier this year and came away so motivated to grow and learn. I also wanted to learn how to adapt this style of leadership to my own. This book is a great introduction into the practice of coaching. It gives a simple, easy process for beginners. I would definitely recommend it to anyone just wanting to know more about the value and practice of leadership coaching.

[Matt Soderstrum · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you would like to explore what it means to be a Life Coach or what a Life Coach does, this would be a great book. It gives lots of practical advice in creating powerful conversations to help people solve their own problems, set their own goals and accomplish them! This book and Robert Logan's "Coaching 101" are the two best books I have read on the basics of coaching. I highly recommend both of them!

[Rachel Aytes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rarely give 5 stars to this type of non-fiction, but this book was concise, concrete, and helpful. I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in growing in their leadership, whether in a formal or informal setting.

[Allison · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book felt like a part 2, and I missed part 1.
What I gained and appreciated though were all the examples of asking good questions—something I was hoping to get from reading this. But overall, it fell short for me.

[Joel Stockstill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perspective Re-Alignment

In pursuit of become no a better leader, listener, and overall better person, this book truly empowers! I highly recommend!

[Natalie Weber · Rating 4 out of 5]

A friend of mine recommended this book as an insightful approach to parenting. I appreciated the practical nature of the principles and examples, walking readers through how they might implement the COACH model. The focus is on non-directive conversations in which you learn to ask powerful questions that help people determine their own solutions to issues and problems they are facing. As I continue my studies toward becoming a certified counselor, I see how this could be immensely helpful in identifying and assigning practical steps of action for homework that is measurable and gives people ownership of their growth.

[Shane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! Must read for coaches

I got first introduced to coaching, by beingcoached randomly. Its definitely felt so foreign and i kepr waiting for the teaching part...the lecture, the sensei and student part...and he just keep asking me questions. Then I'm just crying because of the stuff just pouring out of me and he's telling me its reflection...and i kinda wanted to go kick rocks.
I think I was a little confused at first.Because it seemed like I kept solving my own problems, and I wasn't sure how I was.
Now in my reflection and experience i have realized i was being coached. It has helped me partner with Holy Spirit better and embrace/steward my calling.

[Beverly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Over all I would give this book a 3 1/2
I think that I would prefer attending a workshop and getting some practical experience, but this book gives some really good basic principles and guidelines for coaching leaders in a Christian ministry setting. My favourite chapter was second to the last which emphasized, "Don't BE a coach, just coach" Here the value of using coaching listening skills and open ended questions in every day life made a lot of sense to me and will probably be the way I would use some of the skills encouraged in this book.

[Mandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as a prerequisite to a life coaching course, and enjoyed it. I have had this approach of listening intently and asking powerful questions modeled to me through my mentors, and have benefited from it. There is a refreshing freedom from the pressure of providing “the right” advice/solutions/action steps to your coachee, and more space for the Holy Spirit to be directing both you and the coachee.

This book is approachable, and the content is presented with clarity and experiential wisdom. I think anyone with influence—yes, that’s probably you—could benefit from this book.

[J Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I learnt about what it means to be a good coach. Being a coach is not easy, but its quite a satisfying job when you can help clients achieve their goals.

Coaching is more about asking questions and allowing your client to discover their own solutions, instead of you being their problem solver. More listening, less talking. Als,o give room for the Holy Spirit to do his work. As a Christian coach/disciple maker, you are trying to lead people closer to God, not for them to rely on you.

"Information rarely changes people's behaviour, but experience often does"

[Mookie J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Started slow, i didn't like it. Some of it seemed common sense- though maybe it is not.
Some seemed idealistic or too formulaic/strict.
i think i could use some of it in all training/coaching/parenting.
For some people i could really apply it- but for a some i am coaching, they need training and not just coaching.
Some stuff was stuff i have experienced and have benefitted from.
Stuff on feedback was good. questions are good. Examples pretty good.

[Kathleen Moy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I find it impossible to think about effective servant leadership without some adoption of coaching techniques, and it's for that reason and others I highly recommend this for all Christian leaders. My only suggestion for improvement would be expand further on when it's appropriate to step outside of coaching methods.

[Fernando Retana · Rating 5 out of 5]

As it says, it is a practical guide to the model. After reading this book, I'm motivated to apply the COACH Model straight away in my daily life. It is an excellent book if you're looking to be more intentional in how you develop others. It is very easy to read and makes a lot of sense to start applying it.

[Kathbick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book about coaching. Found it very helpful and loved the idea of using helpful questions rather than telling people what to do. Very easy to read and full of lots of practical and easy to apply ideas.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful in my pastoral role

Our association leader recommended this book to me and I would like to in turn recommend this to you. This is so helpful in making our conversations count to help others not waste their life. So good.

[Grant Gunston · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in conjunction with a coaching course by LCN (Leadership coaching network) and the combination was insightful and helpful. It was great to have plenty of opportunity to practice through the course. I am excited to continue to build on the skills.

[David Wenzel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The scripture that Keith used was very helpful in building a deeper understanding about how the Christian could see coaching. Being a part of a year long non-Christian program, it was helpful to see, although I was eager to see more.

[Mark Warnock · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a clear, practical and actionable introduction to the coaching process and mentality. I expect to refer back to this book many times as I interact with people I lead and coach.

[Aaron S · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent book giving practical advice on how to coach and lead people by asking questions.

[Briana Williamson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful and practical coaching methods!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

V

[Dr. Z · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful book. Suggests some good questions to ask and potentially useful strategies for communicating with others.

[Nathan Mell · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book makes assumptions on what “real” coaches do. The author sells courses at thousands of dollars to teach you how to ask people questions.
Do not recommend.