Coaching: Evoking Excellence in Others

by James Flaherty

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.

· This book is a coaching tool enabling the reader to become a business coach who can self-correct and self-generate your own innovations
· It addresses the How do I contribute to someone's competence in a respectful, dignified, effective way?

Genres: Business, Nonfiction, Leadership, Personal Growth, Management, Communication

224 pages, Paperback

First published September 15, 1998

Reviews

[John Gillis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book. You can go light or go deep in this book, and it will take you as deep as you dare or care to go. The reference bibliography is stunning, and Flaherty comments on each of the referenced books, so he's probably read them and I'm jealous.

But that's an aside. The term "coaching" has been used quite a bit, these days, and I'm sure there are a ton of books on the topic, but I'd put this up there with any of them. It's not exciting, but it's a real contribution on how to legitimately influence behavior and help human beings attain their goals. And there's not much "easy" about the process, but it beats the heck out of trying to do it the wrong way.

If your job or life involves "How can I contribute?" this book shows a way. For Flaherty, the products of coaching are simple and direct: Long-Term Excellent Performance, Self-Correction, and Self-Generation.

[Kara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thorough book on the ins and outs of coaching. However, it's not especially gripping or interesting. Would be a good handbook for someone already working in the field.

[Jeff Lampson]

As I read this, I began to think of it as a "coaches fieldbook". It creates an excellent overall framework for coaching and is full of useful models that can be effectively applied. This has some of the best and most complete chapter references and bibliography I have enjoyed since Frederic Hudson's "Handbook of Coaching". This one will definitely be worn and field tested.

[Brad Hayes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not your average business book. I am impressed by any author who can incorporate 19th- and 20th-century Western philosophy in a practical book about modern management technique. The bibliography alone is worth the purchase price.

[Michael Brady · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I reread this text while working on my paper I came to realize it was quite useful to me and my formation as a manager who wishes to become a leader.

[Egres Rib · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has an utterly fantastic bibliography with comments from the author. I found so many favorite gems in various directions.
The book itself is also excellent!

[Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

What are the main ideas?
* the outcomes of coaching for the person coached are: long-term excellent performance, self-correction, and self-generation. meaning someone who is coached well will be great at what they do (determined by the standards of that field), they will know how to address their own mistakes, and they will always find ways to improve.
* coaching is about making visible the coachee's system of interpreting and then supporting them to see differently which then allows them to act differently.

If I implemented one idea from this book right now, which one would it be?
focus on the 3 outcomes of coaching that the author identifies. if my coach partners are leaving with at least two of the three, i will feel successful. if they're leaving with all 3, i'll feel amazing.


How would I describe the book to a friend?
though i was trained in politicized coaching school, this book is still useful for all the tools, frameworks, and models it offers. i know my liberatory coaching will improve having read this book. and i know that knowing more about how corporate and executive coaches will allow me to bring and modulate what they bring to highly-paid executives to everyone. honestly, other than the lack of political and social analysis, i didn't think the book was particularly harmful (in the way that sometimes books that are "neutral" can be). it actually didn't out itself as targeted at executives or high-paid folks other than the examples and the appendices. if you're a coach who is willing/able to read through classism/racism/etc without being triggered, there's lots this book has to offer. it is sorely lacking in analysis, though, so i wouldn't recommend this book as a first coaching book to anyone just getting into coaching.

[Trude Tanke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okey book about coaching. It was very interesting at times, and gives some really good pointers on coaching. The only reason it got three stars is because I personally found it to be very dry at times. It wasn't always easy to continue the reading. But all in all a good book, that I highly recommend if you are interested in coaching.

[Mo · Rating 3 out of 5]

In depth and a bit esoteric. I suspect it will be a great reference going forward but kinda lost me with its structure about halfway through.

[José Fernández · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

A very profound way of looking at coaching within the freedom of a structure. The power of language and observation as key factors of understanding, growth and development

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

James Flaherty is without question one of the greatest professional coaches in the US. This book is such a short consolidation of his work. It is a little meaty in parts - however, interesting throughout and a great book to go back to again and again on the coaches path of integral coaching.

[Elliot Ng · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like the practical coaching examples of this imaginary client. Lots of theories which are good but it's not as engaging as a coaching class that you can get instant feedback.

Great for beginners who are curious about coaching.

[Chris Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some real insight in how to coach and why its hard. A must for all those who have an interest in coaching and mentoring others.

[Jessica]

I read all but 20 pages; good points, but I think that more examples would have been more impactful.

[Olga Klimanovich · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book for those starting coaching, or those needing a refresher.
Got 4 stars fem me just for one reason -- I did not find it had a particularity engaging flow.

[Mohammad alshawan · Rating 5 out of 5]

GOOD BOOK THAT CREATES COACHES THAT WANT TO SERVE THE WORLD .