Masterful Coaching: Inspire an "Impossible Future" While Producing Extraordinary Leaders and Extraordinary Results

by Robert Hargrove

In this thoroughly updated edition of his classic book, Hargrove introduces you to Masterful Coaching, the method, Hargrove draws on his in-depth experience of coaching leaders at all levels gained since writing the first edition. The book provides guiding ideas, tools, and methods that will empower you on your own journey to Masterful Coaching. You will learn to empower people to transform who they are as leaders and at the same time their ability to produce results that were previously considered impossible by applying triple loop learning. This is about ripping the blinders off so that people see that who they are, the goals they set, and the plans they make, and actions they take are often part of historical winning strategies that are the source of their past success but that limit them from achieving what's possible or playing a much bigger game.

Genres: Leadership, Business, Management, Nonfiction, Education

300 pages, Hardcover

First published October 21, 2002

Reviews

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

So verbose and repetitive. I had impression that author just lumped whatever he found related to coaching (especially in what he refers to as master-classes).

Another thing, for such a big volume, it's not comprehensive enough, especially with claims to be a profound and ground-breaking.

You won't found in this book a good description of coaching competencies/skills. Also it's all about coaching clients who want to achieve Impossible Future (of which you will read thousands of times) as though they are the only coaching clients out there.

Though I could find some useful insights it's rather a disappointment for me.

[Jess Griffin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating 3.5
I have mixed feelings about this book. Hargrove offers some solid insights and advice on executive coaching, however I find the bravado he filters these through a bit off putting.
A good starting place for new coaches to expand their understanding of coaching framework and strategies.

[Tucker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Instruction and insight for coaches who stake their profession on inspiring and goading corporate leaders to change themselves and their companies. Hargrove says that "the aspiration to become a Masterful Coach who can help leaders realize an Impossible Future and make a difference, whether in the life of one person or the life of all humanity, is one of the highest aspirations of what it is to be a human being." He implicitly and explicitly acknowledges that much of the coach's success lies in their personality. For those who have this particular extroverted, attentive gift, the book's 375 pages can provide clarity on how to work their trade.
"Reinvention": "Creative destruction."
"Leadership": "The wholehearted service of others."

[Jeff Lampson]

My interest is in coaching high performing individuals and teams and this is a great performance coaching resource. I particularly appreciate the tried and proven process he outlines in the Collab lab and breakthrough goal setting process in his book.

I enjoyed seeing Argyris' ladder of inference referenced and will apply his Seven Step process for calling myself forward as a Masterful coach.
He uses a very distinctive jargon and sometimes feels a little too much. I find I am substituting and translating some of his terms because I would feel odd using them directly with my client groups.

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best business coaching manual in the business.