Are You Listening?: Stories from a Coaching Life

by Jenny Rogers

'The coaching room can sometimes become its own theatre. A marriage unravels right in front of you. A shaming confession is made. A secret hugged for many years is disclosed. Tears of wrenching anger and despair can take up the whole session. These are times where you and the client hold your breath because nothing is ever going to be the same again.' It is very rare as an adult to find a place where you are not judged, where you can be open, honest and that is exactly what coaching provides. This book brings together twenty different stories which represent the very human dilemmas a coach can encounter. Coaching is not therapy but it is closely related, and while many people seek (or are assigned) executive coaching for work problems, just like therapy each person brings their whole self to the conversation. Exploring Jenny's beautifully written and moving stories will offer the reader a chance for deep reflection on the meaning of modern relationships.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Personal Development, Leadership

240 pages, Hardcover

Published September 9, 2021

Reviews

[Kirsty Keddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the one hand I cannot deny that this is a most readable book, I couldn’t put it down. It certainly contains coaching wisdom. More interestingly, it also shows insight into the fears and insecurities that lie in the hearts of even the most rich, famous and powerful.

On the other hand several things about this book made me uncomfortable:

Firstly the author deeply contradicts her values in places. She emphasises that the coach provides a safe place to think and must never judge and yet she judges all the time, often in the most stereotypical way. I felt particularly uncomfortable about her disdain for the girlfriend of one rich client who were described as ‘a succession of young, blonde, high-heeled girlfriends’.

Secondly she clearly makes great effort to show her own vulnerability on the pages in references to sadness in her own life and her own struggles. I know that she is merging incidents from multiple events into fictionalised accounts but she does this with a repeating formula that soon rings untrue. The incident where she gives her shoes to a taxi driver who allegedly asked for them is unlikely and patronising. The likelihood that she met in a bar / saw at a conference / bumped into in Islington sometime later every one of her coachees is also unlikely. Her main purpose in the narrative of this is for her to show what a wonderful lady she is and so they can tell her what a wonderful coach she has been. It makes the reader question the veracity of the whole piece.

Finally there are far too many references, always put into the mouths of her characters, about her previous books for it not to be an attempt at ‘upselling’. There are also too many put-downs of lesser coaches/ life coaches etc. who use published techniques to coach and in her opinion aren’t doing it right. In my opinion any manager who makes an effort to deploy coaching, even if it is using a rigid model or technique to help them, is still having a better conversation than they would otherwise and should be praised not dismissed by this self-proclaimed coaching guru.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ This was a case of not judging a book by its cover….it looked like a rather dry academic read ….which isn’t me. However it was brilliant! A separate case study per chapter, written in an easy style with both the case study and the authors thoughts, observations and what challenges came up for them. Thoroughly recommended for Coaches and those who have experienced coaching.

[Sebastian Corradino · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this book on Audible to help support my coaching journey. It was wonderful and worth listening even if you are not coaching. It relates to how we connect with each other and support each other regardless of our relationship.

[Alžběta · Rating 4 out of 5]

In "Are You Listening?," Jenny Rogers presents a fascinating collection of stories from her coaching practice and illustrates how powerful and beneficial good coaching can be, while also laying bare her issues, worries and grief.
Beautiful and moving. Thank you, Jenny!

[Caroline Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly insightful and inspiring book

I couldn’t put this down. Jenny Rogers is an incredible coach and these stories, selected from her 30+ years of experience, are beautifully written with so much honesty and insight. As a newly qualified coach I can only dream of reaching this level.

[Lara Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very readable book which gives an insight into professionals however, felt more fiction then fact to me. Odd that Jenny gave jacket and shoes to a taxi driver and seems to have a verry friendly relationship witgh those she coaches.

[Kara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The phrase ‘chemistry meeting’ says it all. Some mysterious alchemy is supposed to occur – or not – where on the basis of thirty minutes of stilted conversation, client and coach agree to like each other enough to start working together.

[Tia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engrossing read. This book lets you be a fly on the wall at the coach's office, getting an insider's look at real coaching sessions—each one packed with raw,and intimate moments. I wish there were more books like this, ones that let you in on what real coaching conversations are all about.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable and useful especially if you offer similar services.

[Deirdre Ní Dheá · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audio book was a lovely listen although. A book listened to as part of a coaching course but could be valuable for anyone

[Steve Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful and heartfelt journey into a coaches' life.