Coaching: The Secret Code to Uncommon Leadership

by Ruchira Chaudhary

This book lucidly illustrates how a leader can bring out the very best in people by coaching them, and how coaching can unleash creativity as well as innovation while inspiring teams to play to their potential. It also examines how coaching helps leaders maintain a fine balance between managing and guiding, and between appraising and supporting their teammates. While many excellent books have been written about leadership, talent, and coaching, this is a rare book that stands boldly at the intersection of leadership and coaching. This is a book for our times. Businesses are facing a new reality, characterized by a VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous) world. This new reality has forced organizations to depart from conventional command-and-control practices to a completely new model - a model in which leaders support and guide, rather than instruct and control, their team members. Exploring some of the key ingredients of impactful leadership, Coaching offers tips and tricks, backed by research and incisive insights, on how to become an effective leader-coach. Peppered with interesting anecdotes and analogies, drawn from sports, performing arts and other walks of life, the book is a breezy read. Interviews with corporate leaders and academics further enrich the narrative. Guaranteed to make for a very interesting read, the book will be useful to leaders, aspiring leaders and especially those that wish to transition from being just good leaders to extraordinary ones.

Genres: Leadership, Management, Nonfiction, Business

432 pages, Paperback

Published February 26, 2021

Reviews

[Vidhya Thakkar · Rating 5 out of 5]

An informative book that will tell you a lot about leadership today.

Ruchira wonderfully explains how to become an effective leader coach. Filled with insights, research, interviews and examples of experienced personalities, it's a book that will shape our lives as a leader, as a coach.

Divided into 3 parts, the author explains what is coaching to why must leaders transform into coaches to the how of coaching and how to apply the fundamentals of coaching interestingly.

With a simple and crisp writing style, it's a powerful read with a practical approach towards coaching. The new learning code and coach your way to uncommon leadership are my favourite chapters from the book.

I took a lil more time to read this book and it was worth it. What it takes to be a leader, to be a coach, how strong leadership is about helping others, how the opinions are different and how coaching is different from person to person.

With illustrations, examples and charts the author shares the secret code to uncommon leadership.

A must-read book for each one of us, it will evolve us as a person.

[Faisal · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Coaching isn't easy. It's hard work and it requires effort and, most importantly, courage.” ~ Ruchira Chaudhary

A great leader is also a team player. This book describes this facet in great detail and how leadership today is about asking - not telling others what to do. The book also examines how coaching helps leaders maintain a fine balance between managing and guiding, and between appraising & supporting their teammates. The coaching we’re talking about — the kind that creates a true learning organization, is ongoing & executed by those inside the organization. Author brilliantly explains how to become an effective leader coach.

This book also highlights specifically what happens when coaches get to work with the 4C’s Model (Capability, Confidence, Clarity, Consciousness). Why is the 4C’s model good for leadership? I took a lil more time (almost 3 months) to read this book and it was worth it. Believe me, this is a rare book that stands boldly at the intersection of leadership & coaching. The book is thoroughly referenced, with 30 pages of resources.

Nandan Nilekani describes, “A timely read for anyone wishing to transition from being a manager to a leader or from being a good leader to a great one.” The book is broadly divided into 3 parts. Exploring some of the key ingredients of impactful leadership, Coaching offers tips and tricks, backed by research and incisive insights, on how to become an effective leader-coach.

You cannot be a good leader or manager without being a good coach, she affirms. Language is simple & easy to understand. Ruchira offers a comprehensive view to the starters, young managers & new perspectives for those who are already familiar with this topic. The book is a great informative read for everyone. Especially for those who Aspire to become extraordinary leaders. If you have not read this yet you must read it.

[Lolo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is like a summary of most of the other leadership books out there, complied into one.
It's filled with information gathered from many different resources and real life examples.
Something I love about this is, if you want to read about this topic further, there are plenty of references in this book you could seek out.

The information provided is easy to understand and usually explained with real life scenarios or application.
Making it easy to understand.
With each key idea, Chaudhary gives additional information and adds more perspective to the idea of leading.

Each chapter is ended with a summary of the chapter in a neat little infographic.
I feel like these could be incredibly useful when referring back to certain chapters as you develop as a  coach.
The book also ends with a quick summary too.
Again making this book an ideal touch stone when it comes to leadership and coaching.

I would definitely recommend this book for anyone moving into a leadership space, or even just hoping to.

[Carlos Mestas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say this book is an instant classic that encapsulates the realms of being a great leader. This book does an incredible job at discerning what it means to be a true leader, not a bot, not a manager and not a mentor. This book essentially summarizes many other books of the topic but gives countless real life examples of world leaders. This book captures what it means to be a leader, how to moviate your team, your employees and your directs. It discusses many obstacles leaders face and how to overcome them. It discusses in fine detail how to listen to others, and get to know them personally before guiding and directing them. Packed with many statistics, real life examples and scientific empirical evidence, this book teaches the leader, how to develop other leaders and how to be human while being a leader-coach. Definitively a book to read annually to stay sharp and hone your skills to cultivate a succesful empire and a team that shows up to work ready to get things done. I already recoomended to several managers and leaders I know.

[Revolutionary Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗱𝗼𝗼𝗿𝘀, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸, 𝗱𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗿𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗽𝗮𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱.

This is the book that unlocks the 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 because in the beginning of the book the Author has said that 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮𝗹𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗮 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿 and it wishes you to be an extraordinary leader. Many books have been written on leadership but few books have told the real purpose of leadership and this is one of them.

The book is divided into 3 parts.

Part A: What is Coaching and Why must leafers6 Transform into coaches?

Part B : The How of coaching : A practical Guide

Part C: Applying the Fundamentals of Coaching into Leadership skills in specific situations

As we are moving towards new technology so we need more good qualities in leader and 𝘂𝗻𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝗮 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿 because leader is the Solely responsible to nurture the potential of its members."𝗜𝗳 𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗲, 𝗶𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗮 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗽".This book contains many examples of great leaders and successful companies from different fields throughout history like 𝗦𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗹𝗸𝗮𝗿 the greatest batsman of all time and 𝗠𝗮𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗺𝗮 𝗚𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗵𝗶, 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗝𝗿. was a strong leader as well as a successful coach, so 𝗰𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 is 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄.

💫My View 💫

I have learned a lot from this book as it is a practical book so I advise you not to take this book for reading purpose only but 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 it 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲. My 𝗳𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 formula from the book is the 𝟰𝗖 + 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹 which is very well described by the Author. This book can be read by anyone who aspires to become a 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿 soon, someone who 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘀 a 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 or if you are someone who is starting your 𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲.

[Readbyheart · Rating 5 out of 5]

•Have you ever imagined yourself becoming a leader? Think about it. You'd be great. But if what's holding you back is not knowing how to chart your path to leadership, I can help you... Read this book.. This book says exactly what good leading is about. If you want to lead, you will know what to focus on after this read..

•To be a leader, you don't have to be an elected official or a CEO. Whether in day-to-day life, at school, or in the workplace, a leader is someone who provides example, guidance, and direction. A fancy title doesn't make someone a true leader; rather, qualities and actions do.

•This book is filled with insights, research, interviews and examples of experienced personalities, it's a book that will shape your lives as a leader.
The book is divided into three parts:
-Part 1: What is coaching and why must leaders transform into coaches?
-Part 2: The how of coaching: A practical guide
-Part 3: Applying the fundamentals of coaching to leadership skills in specific situations.

•Also the author hasn't just given the written explanation she has used pictorial representation through diagrams, charts,and pictures as well. The best thing is.. there is a section of 'The Learning Code' at the end of each chapter which gives the key takeaway points from the chapter.

•The author has used easy language throughout the book, which makes it a quick read. I was literally left with a deep thought as I finished.

Highly Recommended!! Read it, understand it, think about it, live it, and then pass it along to those around.

[Tiffany]

Coaching is a habit whose rewards are experienced over time. The author does a great job of showcasing coaching - what it is, what it is not, why it matters, and how to go about the process of becoming a leader-coach. The book is comprehensive in scope, incorporating leadership wisdom from many other thought leaders. Clear examples of good and bad coaching are provided, which makes the topic highly relatable for both business and personal application.

The 4C coaching framework, which covers the what of coaching, is straightforward. I have studied coaching for many years and this is the first coaching book I've read that also factors in national culture, organizational culture, and diversity elements such as gender and religion. The author stays true to a statement made early on that "human beings are a complex mix of traits, intelligence, character, and talent." As a result, good coaching is difficult, time-consuming, and impossible to script.

By providing a summation of all the previous material, the final chapter is poised to be a helpful resource as you navigate your leader-coach journey. At a time of disruption, crisis, and division, increasing leaders' coaching capabilities is a business imperative.

[Tanishq Rajmani · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cover of this book looks simple and elegant. The title is totally apt for the book.

This book is mainly about importance of leadership as a leader can bring out the very best in people by coaching them.
The book is is divided into 3 parts.
First parts talks about What is coaching and why must leaders transform into coaches?
The second one is The how of coaching: A practical guide
And the third part is Applying the fundamentals of coaching to leadership skills in specific situations.

All the topics are explained perfectly in detail with the help of relatable examples. The uses of charts and diagrams makes it even better. It also has takeaway points in each chapter. It also has interviews with corporate leaders.The research work done by the author must be highly appreciated. The writing style is really amazing and the language is reader friendly.
Highly recommended from my side if you are aspiring leader or want to become a better one.

[Nikhil Vaish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coaching has become a buzzword in corporate circles. Yet, when I ask people what it entails, nobody is able to give me a clear definition of what coaching is, or how you go about doing it effectively. However, everyone does agree that it is important for leaders today to have coaching skills, and for employees to have access to it.

This is what I love about Ruchira’s book. She does not offer a thirty-thousand-foot view or merely pontificate on the benefits of coaching, but rolls up her sleeves and uses real-world analogies and her own personal experiences to bring to life the what, how and why of coaching.

She arms her readers with toolkits, checklists and proprietary techniques she has developed to help us evolve into leader coaches. A must read for anyone who wants to be a more empathetic and effective leader.

[Jeffrey Zie · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want to take your leadership skills to the next level, check out this book.

There’s thousands of books on leadership, but Ruchira, the author, argues that to be the best leader, you need to become a great COACH.

"𝗖𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗮 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘁𝘆. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝗮 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵."

This book shows how a leader can bring out the best in people by coaching them, and how coaching unleashes creativity, innovation, all while inspiring your team to play to their full potential.

What I loved about this book though is how she emphasized the importance of guiding the team and empowering them, rather than directing them.

If you’re a manager or a leader looking to take your leadership to the next level, def. check out this book.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruchira has written an insightful and lucid guide on leadership - a book so relevant in our turbulent times. She builds a powerful case for how a good leader also needs to be a coach that elevates others. The book is filled with practical examples, case studies, research and tips & tricks to get anyone started on this "leader as a coach" journey.

My favorite part of the book - how to apply the frameworks in different situations. The chapter on enabling and coaching women is a real winner.

A book not to be missed!

[Sharad Lal · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very useful book for both leaders in the corporate world and folks leaving work to become freelancers or setting up businesses. Ruchira tells great stories, brings in relevant theories, and quotes experts to give us a sense of how coaching is so useful in both work-life and personal life. I highly recommended read!!

[Wilna Meiring · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have not finished this book but struggling to get through it. I am half way but nothing new has been added to the leadership or coaching body of knowledge and am I very disappointed so far. Was looking forward to a new way of thinking about leadership and coaching, especially with “uncommon” in the title.

[Sameer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice book. Good read for anyone in people management.

[Larry Hou · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are plenty of books about coaching on the market, this one seems to integrate a lot of other books in.
The author read and managed to consolidate quite a few in this book.

[Karen Lim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read to unwrap the uncommon leadership in you 👏 👍

[Milos Mirosavljevic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pure gem. Those interested in leadership and coaching will find this book to be immensely valuable. I loved every single page of it.

[ReaderWhoReviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the title suggests the book is about the importance of coaching for better leadership and the word secret because this method has not been discovered yet, and if discovered not implemented yet.

The book is divided into three parts:

-Part A: What is coaching and why must leaders transform into coaches?

-Part B: The how of coaching: A practical guide

-Part C: Applying the fundamentals of coaching to leadership skills in specific situations

That shows that the book is a complete package from understanding the need, to putting efforts in its directions and finally it's implementation.

The three parts are further divided into 4-5 subtopics each making it a book with total 13 chapters. Each chapter unique in its own way.

The chapters have been explained precisely yet with necessary elaborations. Giving examples for each theory. Also the author hasn't limited herself to just written explanation and has used pictorial representation generously by repressing thoughts through diagrams, charts,and pictures. Apart from these there is a section of 'The Learning Code' at the end of each chapter which gives gist or the key takeaway points from the chapter.

The author has done thorough research on the subject and has backed her statements with various studies, survey reports or quotes from famous personalities. Also she's used the examples which are already present around us and whom we can easily relate to. She has demonstrated clearly what lack of coaching in leadership can lead to and what positive impact is presence can show.

I absolutely loved the book and recommend it to everyone.

My rating: 5/5