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The Tao Of Coaching: Boost Your Effectiveness At Work By Inspiring And Developing Those Around You
Rare book
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 25, 1997
166 people are currently reading
1069 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
June 6, 2010
This was a recommendation from my manager and reluctance was the first thing I felt on starting off on this book. As a matter of habit, I stay away from self help and management books and I do realise it is a thoroughly prejudiced way of looking at books as a whole. Once during a chance meeting with someone senior to me at work, we both remarked that what most of these books tell us is about things we do un-self consciously but it took someone to articulate those things in words and make a book of them.
Tao of coaching is a good,quick read but then it should not stop with the reading of this. There are ideas to reflect upon from this book and it would take some serious discussion with the people you work with to make this an effective read. To read the book and to forget the ideas that this book proposes would make this just another book but some tools as outlined by the author does make sense in a longer perspective of things at the workplace.
It does sound preachy at places but then the effects of those are very minimal compared to the tools and techniques identified by the book. Also to look at this genre objectively, it takes the utmost of subtlety to write a book on a topic as coaching and to not step into the field of 'preachy'ness ( voila !! I just made up a word)...
Good reading if you choose to look at career as a sort of give-take sequence of feedbacks that would further help in polishing yourself...
Tao of coaching is a good,quick read but then it should not stop with the reading of this. There are ideas to reflect upon from this book and it would take some serious discussion with the people you work with to make this an effective read. To read the book and to forget the ideas that this book proposes would make this just another book but some tools as outlined by the author does make sense in a longer perspective of things at the workplace.
It does sound preachy at places but then the effects of those are very minimal compared to the tools and techniques identified by the book. Also to look at this genre objectively, it takes the utmost of subtlety to write a book on a topic as coaching and to not step into the field of 'preachy'ness ( voila !! I just made up a word)...
Good reading if you choose to look at career as a sort of give-take sequence of feedbacks that would further help in polishing yourself...
March 23, 2021
It’s clear that Alex is having an affair, or wishes he was, with Sarah, who seems to be the most aware and skilled person in the entire book. Why isn’t she running the company? Why isn’t the book about her? (Because the patriarchy wont allow it, that’s why)
Alex thinks very highly of himself, even when he’s wrong. When he is wrong he compliments himself on how clever he is for knowing he’s wrong but doesn’t have the awareness to apologise to Mary for suggesting that she feels inferior to her male colleagues because she’s a woman.
Donald is getting an easy ride and extra attention because he’s the boss’ future son-in-law. Why can’t he get his own reports and information? It might be mentoring but he’s also getting an unfair advantage that others in the same situation aren’t. If he is going to progress he’s now going to be missing an important skill set and understanding.
I admire Jan’s restraint for not telling Alex to shut up and that he didn’t have a clue what he was talking about. Alex was one step away from speaking slower and shouting in an effort to ‘help’ his foreign colleague.
Can’t say I enjoyed it and the format was only fractionally above Mike the Knight. In its favour Alex does remember some learnings from one chapter to the next, but Mike the Knight does have talking dragons so it’s a close call.
Alex thinks very highly of himself, even when he’s wrong. When he is wrong he compliments himself on how clever he is for knowing he’s wrong but doesn’t have the awareness to apologise to Mary for suggesting that she feels inferior to her male colleagues because she’s a woman.
Donald is getting an easy ride and extra attention because he’s the boss’ future son-in-law. Why can’t he get his own reports and information? It might be mentoring but he’s also getting an unfair advantage that others in the same situation aren’t. If he is going to progress he’s now going to be missing an important skill set and understanding.
I admire Jan’s restraint for not telling Alex to shut up and that he didn’t have a clue what he was talking about. Alex was one step away from speaking slower and shouting in an effort to ‘help’ his foreign colleague.
Can’t say I enjoyed it and the format was only fractionally above Mike the Knight. In its favour Alex does remember some learnings from one chapter to the next, but Mike the Knight does have talking dragons so it’s a close call.
July 2, 2017
Awesome book about coaching others. The practices may be useful for coaching yourself as well. The book is awesome because of several reasons:
1. It is short. Really. 120+ pages about everything you need about coaching.
2. It is highly practical - each chapter has tasted and "hands-on" recommendations you can implement in your career.
3. It is descriptive - each chapter has awesome before-picture which sets up the reader's mood for the next chapter. And what is even more awesome - the book is one story about a guy in a firm and his challenges throughout his career. Good dialogues and stories will make you remember.
Enjoy!
1. It is short. Really. 120+ pages about everything you need about coaching.
2. It is highly practical - each chapter has tasted and "hands-on" recommendations you can implement in your career.
3. It is descriptive - each chapter has awesome before-picture which sets up the reader's mood for the next chapter. And what is even more awesome - the book is one story about a guy in a firm and his challenges throughout his career. Good dialogues and stories will make you remember.
Enjoy!
April 17, 2021
I know that this book wasn't written for me, so some of the issues I have with it will be specific. But my word, what an awful lot of white-collar sexist shit.
There are a few nuggets of wisdom. They are hard to find and digest given the absurdity of the rest of the content.
There are a few nuggets of wisdom. They are hard to find and digest given the absurdity of the rest of the content.
October 29, 2021
I was sceptical when I was recommended this book by my manager - the title sounded weird, I had no interest in coaching and the book was extremely small in my opinion. But I'm glad I purchased and read it.
Coaching is an important skill for people managers and it's learnable. This is the crux of the message. Twenty chapters in the book have twenty lessons around coaching which is delivered in a crisp and concise manner. The book follows Alex and his journey through the company where on different occasions he has to learn and apply his coaching skills. This extended case study approach works best as it helps you to imagine how a situation can play out and how one can apply the framework that's outlined at the end of each chapter.
A must read for all people managers, HR professionals and anyone in general who wants to improve the quality of relationships (professional or otherwise) in their lives!
P.s. - Make notes as you read along.
Coaching is an important skill for people managers and it's learnable. This is the crux of the message. Twenty chapters in the book have twenty lessons around coaching which is delivered in a crisp and concise manner. The book follows Alex and his journey through the company where on different occasions he has to learn and apply his coaching skills. This extended case study approach works best as it helps you to imagine how a situation can play out and how one can apply the framework that's outlined at the end of each chapter.
A must read for all people managers, HR professionals and anyone in general who wants to improve the quality of relationships (professional or otherwise) in their lives!
P.s. - Make notes as you read along.
January 20, 2014
A nice handbook on coaching and mentoring with a few coaching techniques and examples, among others the GROW (basic script for a coaching session), the AID (basic script on how to give feedback) and an overview of the MBTI. This book was written around 1995 by a partner with McKinsey, at a time when executive coaching wasn't so much a job on it's own as it is today, but rather a management technique. Although this is a rather basic book, I believe it deserves some credit for being one of the earliest ones on this topic.
October 21, 2016
I usually don’t read management books but I’ve changed my habits, I read everything now and I found this nurturing, practical and effective—simple book that illustrates basic and easy tools that’s needed to foster skills and to apply the acquired knowledge; it shows how to be a people’s person, instead being people eater that most people are without realizing, living life without any persistence and bothering their mind's.
October 25, 2021
Fabulous book recommended by my coach. Bite-size ‘lessons’ designed to increase your effectiveness as a coach. Eminently readable, easily digestible and one you can dip in and out of via standalone chapters under an overarching story/journey of one coach’s path of development.
Loved it. Would recommend to anyone thinking of improving the way they interrelate to others at work - coaching upwards as well as down.
Only problem is, I spilled beer on my copy so it doesn’t look the best……
Loved it. Would recommend to anyone thinking of improving the way they interrelate to others at work - coaching upwards as well as down.
Only problem is, I spilled beer on my copy so it doesn’t look the best……
March 5, 2021
I am sure this has some useful insights and tips. However the style was very grating, and Alex is an absolute dick!
September 14, 2025
The Tao of Coaching by Max Landsberg
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Likes: Good mixture between narrative and tips throughout, to the point.
Dislikes: Basic and overly simplistic.
Recommend For: Someone interested in dipping their toe into coaching at work, but not recommended for an experienced or certified coach.
Top 3 Takeaways:
1. Coaching should not be”fizzle out” but instead should intentionally come to an agreed close, or continue. Any conclusion should include (1) reflection, (2) feedback to the coach and (3) next steps.
2. The importance of structuring a coaching series/conversation, such as the GROW Model: Goals, Reality, Options, Wrap Up
3. Diagnosing a coachee (skills V will) is key, like in Situational Leadership
Other memorable points:
- Most audiences can easily passionate 3 points
- The coach is the “midwife to skill building”, they support along the way at but ultimately the coachee needs to do the work
- Trust is key for any effective coaching relationships
- “Plans are irrelevant; planning is everything”, Churchill
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Likes: Good mixture between narrative and tips throughout, to the point.
Dislikes: Basic and overly simplistic.
Recommend For: Someone interested in dipping their toe into coaching at work, but not recommended for an experienced or certified coach.
Top 3 Takeaways:
1. Coaching should not be”fizzle out” but instead should intentionally come to an agreed close, or continue. Any conclusion should include (1) reflection, (2) feedback to the coach and (3) next steps.
2. The importance of structuring a coaching series/conversation, such as the GROW Model: Goals, Reality, Options, Wrap Up
3. Diagnosing a coachee (skills V will) is key, like in Situational Leadership
Other memorable points:
- Most audiences can easily passionate 3 points
- The coach is the “midwife to skill building”, they support along the way at but ultimately the coachee needs to do the work
- Trust is key for any effective coaching relationships
- “Plans are irrelevant; planning is everything”, Churchill
June 9, 2023
Ik begeleid al een tijdje mensen op het werk en het leek me een goed idee om wat literatuur hierover erop na te slaan in de hoop te verbeteren. Dit boek vertelt aan de hand van een fictief verhaal de beginselen van het coachen op de werkvloer. Een paar dingen lagen voor de hand, maar het bood genoeg nieuwe inzichten waar ik wat aan had.
De schrijfstijl is prima en het verhaal een leuke toevoeging, hoewel soms de situaties die de hoofdpersoon meemaakt iets te gekunsteld overkomen. Het werkt voor mij wel beter om de theorie op deze manier te brengen dan puur een studieboek. Elk hoofdstuk start met een leuke strip met de kern van het hoofdstuk, daarna een sectie waarin de hoofdpersoon met het betreffende onderwerp te maken krijgt, en een duidelijke uiteenzetting over de kern aan het eind.
Een helder en overzichtelijk boek met interessante inzichten, ik ben blij dat ik het gelezen heb.
De schrijfstijl is prima en het verhaal een leuke toevoeging, hoewel soms de situaties die de hoofdpersoon meemaakt iets te gekunsteld overkomen. Het werkt voor mij wel beter om de theorie op deze manier te brengen dan puur een studieboek. Elk hoofdstuk start met een leuke strip met de kern van het hoofdstuk, daarna een sectie waarin de hoofdpersoon met het betreffende onderwerp te maken krijgt, en een duidelijke uiteenzetting over de kern aan het eind.
Een helder en overzichtelijk boek met interessante inzichten, ik ben blij dat ik het gelezen heb.
January 9, 2024
I cannot recommend this book enough. The author defines 20 golden rules of coaching. The book is narrated through the story of Alex, a manager on his way to seniority. So for each of the golden rules, the author offers, a story from Alex's work-life (that gives us the context when and where the rule can be implemented in the real life), then a tool that can help us how to implement the rule and then an exercise so that we can try it out ourselves. In the end there are a few appendixes to really hammer things down (smile) I like this approach, because it tells you what you need to know in the least amount of words, it shows you how, and it shows you when and where → everything that you need to know. Really helpful
November 1, 2019
This book won't turn you into a sharp coach straight away. But given its size and the price I paid for it, I think I got more than what I expected. I've read other coaching books, more pretentious and thicker, that failed to deliver practical and actionable advice.
The Tao of Coaching covers all the basics, and to me it was a starting point that can take me to more thorough works thanks to its comprehensive bibliography on coaching and mentoring.
The short fictional story that precedes every chapter doesn't add much to the book unfortunately. It is there to illustrate with examples but for me it was rather uninspiring.
All in all, good value for money.
The Tao of Coaching covers all the basics, and to me it was a starting point that can take me to more thorough works thanks to its comprehensive bibliography on coaching and mentoring.
The short fictional story that precedes every chapter doesn't add much to the book unfortunately. It is there to illustrate with examples but for me it was rather uninspiring.
All in all, good value for money.
September 26, 2017
Great intro for anyone interested in coaching. Written in a clever way, a mix between storytelling and textbook. The reader follows the journey of a young executive, Alex, as he meanders his way through an organisation learning valuable coaching lessons along the way. Each chapter focuses on a specific area of coaching which is then summarised in text book format at the end of the chapter. So, you can either follow the story or stick to the hard facts or both! It’s a best seller and widely regarded as one of the top coaching books. Has been translated into 14 languages too.
July 1, 2018
I generally give 5 stars to the books that impress me in a highly emotional way with their story / style of writing, or to those I will reffer to and re-read, as they provided useful information.
The Tao of Coaching is a simple book to read, structured as a story, easy to follow. The style of writing did not impress me. On the other hand, I did find practical tools to implement in my coaching sessions and diverse perspectives. Thus, this is the reason i gave it 5 stars, and also the reason for me reading other books by the author.
The Tao of Coaching is a simple book to read, structured as a story, easy to follow. The style of writing did not impress me. On the other hand, I did find practical tools to implement in my coaching sessions and diverse perspectives. Thus, this is the reason i gave it 5 stars, and also the reason for me reading other books by the author.
May 21, 2020
I am approaching final qualification as a professional coach and mentor and have been dipping into The Tao of Coaching (Profile Books) by Max Landsberg. This best-selling classic was originally published by HarperCollins in 1996, and is practical, pragmatic, and - like most good ideas - seems to be stating the obvious. Coaching is about learning to actively listen and challenge limiting beliefs by asking questions without making any assumptions or leading the coachee to your own (wonderful) answers. It’s more difficult than it looks and remarkably effective.
April 30, 2023
This is a good book. Recommended during training sessions in many TOT's during the early 2000's.
This is a under 150 pg book and is an excellent short read.
There are tools which can be used and followed applying the information described in the book and is one that helps trainers and managers connect with their people and team.
This book reminded me of the one minute manager and it follows the protagonist through his story where he learns and uses maxims to progress while applying his skills. the frameworks at the end of the chapters act as guide points.
Loved the book.
This is a under 150 pg book and is an excellent short read.
There are tools which can be used and followed applying the information described in the book and is one that helps trainers and managers connect with their people and team.
This book reminded me of the one minute manager and it follows the protagonist through his story where he learns and uses maxims to progress while applying his skills. the frameworks at the end of the chapters act as guide points.
Loved the book.
December 13, 2020
This is a great little aide memoire containing a whole load of simple tools and techniques for coaching in a leadership context - although it has lots of applicability to general professional coaching. If you are exploring coaching as a scrum master or if you want to start adding it as a string to your bow as a manager, I would strongly recommend this book. I suspect I will revisit many sections as I look to develop my coaching competence.
October 6, 2025
Productive read that offers valuable insight to coaching and management. I appreciated the fact the writer took us through the story of Alex who developed his own skills and explained the process of development. It made it feel concrete and ‘human’.
Short, dull, to the point. How you’d expect a good business book to be.
I can’t rate it any higher just because it wasn’t as enjoyable of a read as fiction.
Short, dull, to the point. How you’d expect a good business book to be.
I can’t rate it any higher just because it wasn’t as enjoyable of a read as fiction.
November 2, 2025
Be aware: this is not a book about how to be a coach, but rather about how to do coaching: of your employees, as their manager. As their superior, the book will allow you to feel superior, which is the very opposite of what an actual coach feels towards their clients.
Still, I might recommend this book to my boss and my boss’s boss. At the moment, my 1:1s with either of them have them taking and me coaching. I wish it were the other way around.
Still, I might recommend this book to my boss and my boss’s boss. At the moment, my 1:1s with either of them have them taking and me coaching. I wish it were the other way around.
July 18, 2020
Collection of frameworks for effective coaching. Will help you validate and make you feel good about some of the models that you might be already using at work and equips you with a few more. A book that will only be useful if you have time to reflect and practice the frameworks suggested by the author.
April 1, 2024
Really concise little book packed with dense nuggets of coaching wisdom. If you have any formal or informal coaching experience, this is a helpful "Cliff's Notes" to sharpen your sword with. If you are new to coaching, this is an efficient crash course in what coaching is, what it isn't, as well as some versatile tools and frameworks to get started.
November 18, 2016
Fantastic primer
Recommended reading for my INSEAD Transition to General Management program. I'm very happy to have read this simple guide for improving ones coaching chops. It's a quick read and time well spent for any manager.
Recommended reading for my INSEAD Transition to General Management program. I'm very happy to have read this simple guide for improving ones coaching chops. It's a quick read and time well spent for any manager.
February 12, 2018
🧞♂️
Recomendable pero luego de haber pasado por un proceso de coaching. Recomendable para personas que lideren equipos de trabajo para llevarlos a un estado superior de performence.
Recomendable pero luego de haber pasado por un proceso de coaching. Recomendable para personas que lideren equipos de trabajo para llevarlos a un estado superior de performence.
July 31, 2018
Its a good book on how to take people through a process leading to achieving thier and thus your own peaks of performance. Detailed review with top 10 gems from the book on my blog -
http://chandilnitin.blogspot.com/2018...
http://chandilnitin.blogspot.com/2018...
November 8, 2019
A pretty decent overview of Coaching as a Management/Leadership tool. With a straightforward scenario based narration, Landsberg manages to navigate a large swathe of the issues associated with the deployment of 'coaching'.
September 23, 2020
WOW, what a book. A simple book on coaching explained as a story/ happening in the life of Alex. 20 Principles about coaching and all are gems. As we climb up the ladder in the corporate world, this book should be referred on a daily basis. A must-read for Managers and Team Leaders.
October 4, 2020
This is a must read for anyone learning to be more effective as a manager or a leader. Very practical and insightful. Don’t underestimate it due to its length. Some truths dont require lengthy explanations.
June 7, 2024
Libro breve y gran entrada a la disciplina, habilidades y enfoque del coaching en el contexto de una organización. Muy útil para líderes, gerentes e incluso coaches profesionales que busquen ampliar su visión sobre este proceso.
July 4, 2017
Ignoring the attempted storyline, the techniques and tips are quite useful.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews