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Integration: The Power of Being Co-Active in Work and Life
We live in a world of both profound separation and deep longing for connection. Betz and Kimsey-House explore not only the historical and spiritual history of our disconnection and its cost to individual and societal well-being, but also provide a compelling, neuroscience-based argument for how to make the next “great turning” of human becoming more integrated human beings. They invite you to accompany them through a road map to integration by exploring in detail the Co-Active model, originally used by coaches, but with practical application to business, parents, teachers, and anyone with a desire to be more effective, connected, and whole. Richly illustrated with true stories of integration in action, as well as current research in neuroscience, this book provides a guide to reaching our full potential within ourselves, with each other, in groups and organizations and with society at large. NAUTILUS BOOK AWARDS-SILVER WINNER 2015 in the Relationships and Communications
188 pages, Paperback
First published July 31, 2015
47 people are currently reading
155 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 4, 2025
This book really spoke to me and I am surprised this doesn’t count among the classics. It makes an argument for whole brain usage with the strength that each hemisphere brings into our work, relationships and introspection. It is fact-based, empathetic and not preachy at all. I will go back to this regularly.
June 27, 2020
A fantastic introduction to the Co-Active way. I am a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach and have long been a fan of the Co-Active Coaching books. I love this broadening of the Co-Active way into the context of life. The Co-Active model has changed my life, my leadership, my relationships. Powerful.
January 10, 2016
A truly amazing book. It really surprised me that I got so much from it. I totally recommend that everyone reads it. It's simple, talks about the human condition, ways of being and doing and many other issues with regards to being effective, balance, communication, coaching, etc.
March 2, 2020
This book is a thorough review of how to bring the Co-Active coaching philosophy and practice to your every day life and to your work. It is a wonderful reference and, at the same time, a text you can read from A to Z. It is theory and practice. It provides valuable insights for coaches and for those who are not. It is a deep dive for Co-Active coaches and it is also a gentle path for those who are curious about the Co-Active way. Karen Kimsey-House and Ann Betz did a fantastic work in achieving all this in approx.170 pages. AMAZING!
March 26, 2023
This book was a surprise. I was expecting a technical book on how to integrate different activities within the same strategy. Instead it is more of a psycho-anthropological book on how to collaborate with others and oneself. It still gave me ideas for our team’s strategy.
January 20, 2016
I really want to be able to recommend this book whole-heartedly. It has a very practical framework for individuals to live fulfilling lives in relationships that also allow the other involved individuals to live fulfilling lives. With exercises to do and anecdotes to demonstrate, it is a useful tool book.
However, in what comes across as an unnecessarily forced attempt to prove the worth of the model, the authors rely on outdated neuroscience and pseudoscience. in addition, there are unnecessary overlays of gender distinctions, intelligent design, and magical thinking that take away from the power of the text.
A huge amount of unnecessary time is spent discussing the word Co-Active. "Co" is about being (as oneself and in relationship with others) and "Active" is about doing things, taking action. "Co-Active" uses the hyphenated form instead of coactive to bring emphasis to the distinction between being and doing while maintaining a balanced relationship between them. all of the rest of the descriptive material muddies the waters, bores the reader, and weakens the power of what, under the surface is a very practical toolkit.
A more rigorously empirical approach would have made a much stronger book. the authors have an enormous number of coaching hours between them and time spent training other coaches and engaged in conversations about what has been effective. The fact is this model works. That should be be enough to give the authors the courage to drop the unnecessary defense of the material and simply share what works.
However, in what comes across as an unnecessarily forced attempt to prove the worth of the model, the authors rely on outdated neuroscience and pseudoscience. in addition, there are unnecessary overlays of gender distinctions, intelligent design, and magical thinking that take away from the power of the text.
A huge amount of unnecessary time is spent discussing the word Co-Active. "Co" is about being (as oneself and in relationship with others) and "Active" is about doing things, taking action. "Co-Active" uses the hyphenated form instead of coactive to bring emphasis to the distinction between being and doing while maintaining a balanced relationship between them. all of the rest of the descriptive material muddies the waters, bores the reader, and weakens the power of what, under the surface is a very practical toolkit.
A more rigorously empirical approach would have made a much stronger book. the authors have an enormous number of coaching hours between them and time spent training other coaches and engaged in conversations about what has been effective. The fact is this model works. That should be be enough to give the authors the courage to drop the unnecessary defense of the material and simply share what works.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews