Coaching for Performance: GROWing Human Potential and Purpose - The Principles and Practice of Coaching and Leadership, 4th Edition [Paperback]

John Whitmore (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 10, 2009

Completely Revised 4th Edition of the 500,000 Copy Bestseller! Coaching is a way of managing, a way of treating people, a way of thinking, a way of being. Coaching has matured into an invaluable profession fit for our times and this fourth edition of the most widely read coaching book takes it to the next frontier. — John Whitmore Good coaching is a skill that requires a depth of understanding and plenty of practice if it is to deliver its astonishing potential. This extensively revised and expanded new edition of Coaching for Performance clearly explains the principles of coaching and illustrates them with examples of high performance from business and sport. It continues to follow the GROW sequence (Goals, Reality, Options, Will) and clarifies the process and practice of coaching by describing what coaching really is, what it can be used for, when and how much it can be used, and who can use it well.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A must read for any coach aspiring to do advanced work with their clients. Bringing together the simplicity of the coaching process and the larger scope of the coaching profession in a readable and provocative way."

(Laura Whitworth, co-founder of The coaches Training Institute and author of Co-Active Coaching )

"Coaching is a way of managing, a way of treating people, a way of thinking, a way of being. Coaching has matured into an invaluable profession fit for our times and this fourth edition of the most widely read coaching book takes it to the next frontier." - John Whitmore

"Overall, the newly written sections on leadership for high performance and transformation through transpersonal coaching really stand out. They are up-to-date and relevant. These pages make a significant challenge to the reader's mindset." — People Management

Review

"A must read for any coach aspiring to do advanced work with their clients. Bringing together the simplicity of the coaching process and the larger scope of the coaching profession in a readable and provocative way."

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Product Details

• Paperback: 244 pages
• Publisher: Nicholas Brealey Publishing; 4th Edition edition (October 10, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 185788535X
• ISBN-13: 978-1857885354
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #17,692 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #9 in Books > Business & Investing > Management & Leadership > Training
  • #72 in Books > Business & Investing > Industries & Professions > Human Resources & Personnel Management

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The "Grandfather" of Coaching Books - and Still One of the Best!, June 2, 2009

By 

Keith E. Webb "Cross-Cultural Leadership Coac... (Seattle) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Coaching for Performance: GROWing Human Potential and Purpose - The Principles and Practice of Coaching and Leadership, 4th Edition (Paperback)

This book, now in its FOURTH edition, is the grandfather of coaching books and approaches. Much of what has come to be known as professional business coaching came from Timothy Gallway and Whitmore's sports training techniques. As such, the book provides a simple foundation for coaching based on the context of awareness and responsibility through asking questions and listening. He presents the G R O W model of coaching - Goal, Reality, Option, Will - as a format for coaching sessions.

The book begins with a few foundational beliefs of coaches. Unlike old models of management that work from the "carrot and stick" approach, a coach believes in the potential of the client. Whitmore believes that people are only able to change only that which they are aware. Responsibility must stay with the client if they are to perform. Questions raise awareness and yet maintain the client's responsibility. If the coach tells the coachee something, awareness may increase slightly, but responsibility in now in the hands of the coach, the source of the information. Questions cause the client to pay attention to their actions, think at higher levels, and provide feedback for the coach to work from.

The G R O W model provides a sequence of questioning and for the coaching session. A coach starts with the client's goal. Either an end goal, like "retire at age 45," or a performance goal, such as "write a new training manual by December." After further clarifying the goal the coach can move on to the current reality of the situation. Asking such questions as: What have you done on the manual up to now? What are the needs that you think a manual might help? What has kept you from finishing the manual these past two years? Options are then generated from the client as to how they can achieve their goal. Finally, What will you do? Whitmore builds several checks and balances into this last step to ensure performance.

The final sections of the book are new territory in this 4th edition. Coaching used to be about performance - doing, achievement. In the past few years coaching has moved to underlying motivations of personal fulfillment: the "why" underneath the desire to achieve performance goals. Whitmore includes new chapters on coaching for purpose, getting to life's meaning.

Of the dozen books on coaching that I own, this one has consistently been the book I refer back to as I try to explain to someone what is coaching: Believe in the potential of people; raise awareness and maintain responsibility through questions and listening; and follow the GROW model. All are the essence of good coaching.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Coaching for Growth, February 1, 2011

By 

J. C. Friedel (St. George, UT USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Coaching for Performance: GROWing Human Potential and Purpose - The Principles and Practice of Coaching and Leadership, 4th Edition (Paperback)

This book was purchased for an online course, I had no idea what to expect for this book. I have enjoyed reading every chapter, the author uses a ton of practical examples and really has extensive knowledge on the subject of coaching. This truly is a book made to help stretch and grow your performance, not just in your career, but in any application. The GROW model is a great tool for life expansion and greater individual success for any experience level, especially suited for those who are new to the concept of coaching.

5.0 out of 5 stars Business collections will find this an excellent, specific pick, January 18, 2010

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Coaching for Performance: GROWing Human Potential and Purpose - The Principles and Practice of Coaching and Leadership, 4th Edition (Paperback)

The fourth updated edition of COACHING FOR PERFORMANCE: GROWING HUMAN POTENTIAL AND PURPOSE is a powerful pick that's been extensively revised and expanded in a new edition explaining the basics of coaching. Examples of high performance from business and sport are provided along with new chapters discussing advanced transpersonal coaching. Business collections will find this an excellent, specific pick.