Masterful Coaching

by Robert Hargrove

Masterful Coaching, according to author Robert Hargrove, is co-creating an Impossible Future with someone — from a good leader to a great one, from a third world nation to a first, from industry follower to industry game-changer.

An advisor to CEOs, executives, and their teams, Hargrove states that coaching is the fastest, most powerful way to develop leaders at all levels. Ask people, "What is impossible that you are going to do today?" As people stretch to reach goals, they realize that what got them here as a leader isn't going to get them there.

In this completely revised third edition of his groundbreaking book, Hargrove presents his profound insight into the journey of becoming a masterful coach along with guiding ideas, tools, and methods.

You will gain the confidence and skills needed to master a one-year coaching engagement using Hargrove's 12 Catalytic Coaching Conversations .

You will learn
 

Masterful Coaching third edition has become the standard resource for anyone who is a coach, considering becoming a coach, or is curious about being an extraordinary coach. If this is you, click on the "look inside" and begin your journey now.

Genres: Leadership, Business, Management, Nonfiction, Education

432 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.