Customer Reviews

On Becoming a Leadership Coach: A Holistic Approach to Coaching Excellence

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I've spent over a dozen years coaching hundreds of leaders so it was with some degree of apathy that I approached this book. Not only was I pleasantly surprised with the fluid and cohesive style - characteristics not so common to edited books - but the content was outstanding. This book serves as an excellent primer for those who are new to the field and offers relevant insights to the experienced professional.

Building on a wealth of experience, the authors begin Part 1 with four articles that focus on the theory and practices that are important to creating a great coaching relationship. They remind us that the real work begins with the coach her/himself. Part 2 explores the purposeful presence that is critical to productive coaching. In these eight articles, the authors explore the power of "story" and "breakdown," the role of emotions and the importance of somatics in the coaching process. The final section offers many specific models that these experienced coaches and teachers have used and prefected over the years.

As an experienced coach with a lot of training, I found few "totally new" ideas. One exception for me was "Coaching and Leading as Stewards for Sustainability" by Lloyd Raines, an article that challenged coaches to make a difference in our global future. Perhaps in their next book, the coaches of the Georgetown coaching program can lead by offering a path into unexplored territory. But as comprehensive approach to the theory and practice of leadership coaching, this book totally hits the mark. The packaging is awfully academic, but the content makes this book a must-read for coaching professionals.

There is coherence between all of the contributed pieces of writing from different authors. The content - perspectives and facts - will prove timeless. I got the book less than a week ago and know I will go back to it often. Kudos.

This book is a must have for any coach or aspiring coach's library. Written in very clean and easy to understand language. Really enjoyed it and I'm sure I will refer back to it as my coaching journey continues!