The Philosophy and Practice of Coaching: Insights and Issues for a New Era [Hardcover]

David B. Drake (Editor), Diane Brennan (Editor), Kim Gørtz (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0470987219 | ISBN-13: 978-0470987216 | Publication Date: June 11, 2008 | Edition: 1

The Philosophy and Practice of Coaching will help to advance the global conversation about the future of coaching. The book is organized into three key sections: Foundations for Coaching, Applications of Coaching, and Organizations and Coaching, and the focus is on enabling the reader to astutely link theory and practice.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

As coaching continues to grow, there is a need for a deeper conversation about its current state and its future directions. This book makes an important contribution to this conversation in provocative yet grounded ways. Our authors are internationally recognized coaches, educators, researchers and writers. the book offers you a unique opportunity to look inside their minds and practices as a guide to reflect on and advance your own work.

Check out our website at www.practiceofcoaching.com interviews and discussions with the authors.

From the Back Cover

"This is exactly the kind of book the field needs - it is very insightful, theoretically grounded and immensely practical. The hands-on usefulness is exceeded only by its rigor and readability. It is rare to find a book that is useful on multiple levels. The Philosophy and Practice of Coaching is quite brilliant. Thank you for bringing it into the world! I found it helpful for my practice as well as my teaching and writing. This book will be a springboard for taking your coaching work to the next level of excellence." -- Carol Kauffman

"This is an important book for many reasons. The opening chapter sets coaching in its psychological context perfectly. The theoretical history and underpinning of different forms of coaching, and the case study examples, provide a rich cornucopia for the coach. It is a book to which I can and will refer to often, as it is so relevant to so much." -- Sir John Whitmore

"The Philosophy and Practice of Coaching is a much needed addition to the serious coaching literature. Its chapters identify a stimulating range of very pertinent issues and challenges for coaching, introducing as they go, new concepts, and expounding emerging applications. The book more than meets its claim to involve us in a 'deeper conversation. It is an inspiring read, with the addition of some weighty coaching questions to involve readers in the dialogue begun in the book and challenge them to think deeply. Now isn't that what coaching is about?" -- Dr. Elaine Cox

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 378 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1 edition (June 11, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470987219
• ISBN-13: 978-0470987216
• Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 1.1 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #137,576 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Diane Brennan is an executive coach, consultant and author. She works with leaders and teams in organizations to create transformational learning and leadership.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sandy Carter, March 11, 2009

By 

S. Carter - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Philosophy and Practice of Coaching: Insights and Issues for a New Era (Hardcover)

As an executive coach who works with organizations in leadership development, I was eager to read this book. I reviewed Diane Brennan's chapter on Leadership Coaching: The Impact on the Organization, and took away several new insights. Brennan's intention was to explore the value of coaching for both the leader and the organization. She accomplishes this by introducing academic rigor to the coaching process, using case study material which is analyzed and linked back to leadership theory.

Brennan's writing style is easy to follow and informative. Using a scholar-practitioner model, Brennan offers her readers a synthesis of critical and creative insights. She challenges the reader to approach the coaching experience with a mind-set for continuous learning and critical reflective practice. Brennan demonstrates how to ask the "tough questions" as they relate to both the client and the coach. Furthermore, Brennan points out the duality of learning that can occur in the coaching partnership when inward reflection is at the core of the experience.

In my opinion, Brennan achieved her purpose by presenting a systematic approach that allows the reader to easily follow her thinking process. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to learn more about coaching and leadership.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A contribution to coaching, August 30, 2009

By 

Diane Brennan (Tucson, AZ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Philosophy and Practice of Coaching: Insights and Issues for a New Era (Hardcover)

This is a quote excerpted from a book review that appeared in "Coaching at Work" Magazine -
"This book adds to the growing body of rigorous coaching literature and is ideal for teaching the theoretical foundations of the field as well as opening up wider discourse on topics we will likely be discussing as coaching evolves." - reviewed by Suzanne Doyle-Morris, Director of Doyle Morris Coaching & Development - [...]