Coaching, Second Edition: Evoking Excellence in Others (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: amoeba theory, opening for coaching, divide yourself, New York, Shambhala Publications, San Francisco (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"At long last, a book on coaching that moves beyond 'advice from the sidelines.' James Flaherty convincingly shows that the only way to truly help people grow is to help them in developing new practices and new language, and that the only way to coach effectively is to enter into a reciprocal relationship where 'coach' and 'coachee' engage in a dance of mutual influence and growth." - Peter M. Senge, MIT and Society for Organizational Learning

"The professional and aspiring coach who picks up this book will find the 'mother load' of coaching's guiding principles. James Flaherty has devoted his career to synthesizing and teaching the fundamentals of coaching. His models open up the conceptual framework for continuous learning for the coach and the coached." - Karen Otazo, Managing Director, Executive Coaching Connection, London, Los Angeles, and Hong Kong


"It is a beautiful example of the work of a scholar practitioner whose goal is to link theory and application." - Charlie Seashore, Faculty, Ph.D. Program in Human Organization Development, Fielding Institute, Santa Barbara, CA


"In an emerging discipline where serious practitioners are seeking reputation for integrity and outcomes, it is helpful to discover an advocate for rigor, discipline, and fundamentals..." - John Hofmeister, Director of Human Resources, Royal Dutch Shell, The Hague, London


"James Flaherty's book is full of useful and practical ways to develop the crucial and important skill of coaching..." - Jill Dodwell-Gorves, Senior Manager, Training and Development, Jardine Pacific, Hong Kong -- Review

"At long last, a book on coaching that moves beyond 'advice from the sidelines.'" -- Peter M. Senge, MIT and Society for Organizational Learning

"It is a beautiful example of the work of a scholar practitioner whose goal is to link theory and application." -- Charlie Seashore, Faculty, Ph.D. Program in Human Organization Development, Fielding Institute, Santa Barbara, CA

"James Flaherty's book is full of useful and practical ways to develop the crucial and important skill of coaching..." -- Jill Dodwell-Gorves, Senior Manager, Training and Development, Jardine Pacific, Hong Kong --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"As the field of coaching finds its way to becoming a mature discipline, James Flaherty's dedicated field research, study, and sound articulation offers a definitive ground and a sensibility of genuine care. At the core this book offers a way of thinking about human beings that makes action and practice central to learning. This is a no-nonsense, generous, pragmatic book that belongs on the shelf every coach, novice or veteran."
-- Richard Strozzi-Heckler, Ph.D., Founder of Somatic Coaching and author of The Anatomy of Change and Holding The Center


"In Ancient Rome Mark Anthony approached Julius Caesar and posed a question about the Patrician Guards who patrolled and kept the city safe. His compelling question was 'Ipso custodies custodiet?' - 'Who guards the guards?' It was an incisive query that might well be asked today of the scope and license that coaches have with their clients. James Flaherty asks that question of us as coaches in a unique and inescapable way. As a master coach and teacher of coaches James Flaherty provides an irreplaceable role - a vital pilot light on the limitless directions that coaches might consider taking. His book frames deep questions about how humans operate across a series of interconnected domains such as the mind, body and emotions, which will give both new and experienced coaches pause to reflect. He frames crisp distinctions about the coaching process which will generate new perspectives on the role of the coach. He leaves a trail of deeply researched threads that the reader can explore after reading to deepen their knowledge and understanding. All of this is done in a crisp and quietly elegant dialogue which makes you believe he is present as you are inspired to explore, with profound curiosity, your own beliefs on what we are as human beings and how we should show up as coaches. As you read and digest his coaching metaphors, analogies and questions there are inexplicable possibilities that crystallize, fresh insights that emerge and a renewed commitment to explore oneself and the coaching we strive to master."
-- Craig O'Flaherty, Director, Centre for Coaching, Graduate School of Business, University of Cape Town, South Africa

"This extraordinary book clearly represents James Flaherty's ability to insightfully enable the self-generating and self-correcting capacities of his clients. His clarity and candor engage the reader to more deeply examine the opportunities to live a more integrated and holistic life."
--Michele Goins, Vice President and Chief Information Officer, Imaging and Printing Group, Hewlett-Packard Company

"James Flaherty focuses on the commonly overlooked fact that a coachee is a "human-being." He effectively emphasizes that this is
the most important aspect that a coach should always have in mind, something that many of us tend to forget.
It was this tact that he applies toward coaching, as well as many other brilliant insights, that helped me make the decision to publish Coaching in Japanese and apply its lessons in my practice."
-- Mamoru Itoh, President, Coach21 Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan

"In Coaching: Evoking Excellence in Others, James Flaherty brilliantly dissects both the art and science of coaching -- one of the more difficult and least understood roles in organizations. Beginning with theories, concepts and models he shows their application to practice and empowers any aspiring coach to be more effective in helping people achieve their goals. A better book on this subject just doesn't exist."
-- Jerry I Porras, Lane Professor of Organizational Behavior and Change Emeritus, Graduate School of Business, Stanford University and Co-Author, Built to Last

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: Butterworth-Heinemann; 2 edition (July 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0750679204
• ISBN-13: 978-0750679206
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #91,572 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #73 in

  Books > Business & Investing > Management & Leadership > Training

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

79 of 79 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A textbook for the practioner, April 2, 2001

By	Giselle Springer-Douglas "Child of the World" (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Coaching: Evoking Excellence in Others (Paperback)

This is heavy reading, but well worth it. Remeber your college philosophy classes and associated textbooks? Well, Flaherty takes the beauty and probing questions of philosphy and creates practical use of them by applying them to the art of coaching. Flaherty relies heavily on a few of his favorite modern philosophers, and takes their discoveries and theories and converts them into assessment models, enrollment techniques, etc. What you end up with is a very lucid, free flowing book that allows the coach to see the client as a human being with varying motivations, competencies, agendas, etc., and frees us from the trap of attempting to coach our clients into becoming ourselves (someone with our values, motivations, etc.); instead allowing them to grow into their own self-correcting, self-generating person.

One caveat, this book looks just as much at the growth of the coach as it does at the growth of the client. In fact, the author asserts that failed coaching often stems from a coaches inability to completely appreciate the client for who s/he is (their motivations, world interpretation, etc.); this falls under the topic of Relationship in the book, and essentially discusses the meaning and importance of mutual appreciation, respect and freedom of expression. He advocates self discovery and continued growth of the coach; allowing yourself to learn from your client while they learn from you.

In summary, the book moves us away from simply using techniques and models as our "catch all" coaching tools and moves us towards understanding the unique human being, their unique situation, their unique drive, their unique interpretation of the world, etc. The author also encourages coaches to understand their own humanity, including their own mortality, so that our connections with our clients are more solid and hopefully more fruitful.

Although the author does provide some assessment model examples, don't expect a step by step coaching program from this work. The author throws out ideas to stimulate our own thinking about ourselves and our clients' needs. It is left up to us to put the theories, suggestions and ideas into a workable form that can be used in our coaching practices.

A note on the heavy, textbook quality of this work: It is just that. It is an amazing, thought provoking work, but it's college textbook like quality (the author does begin to throw in humor around page 90 or so) can be a little rough to get through (hence the 4 out of 5 stars).

If you don't mind free-flowing structure that allows you to draw your own conclusions, or are looking for a humanistic view on this sector of consulting, then this work is for you.

89 of 90 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific, April 28, 2000

By	George P. Hollenbeck "geoholl" (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Coaching: Evoking Excellence in Others (Paperback)

This is one of the two best books on coaching I have seen. Not for the casual reader, it is ideal for the serious practitioner of change. It has the rigor and systematic approach that are needed in a field that has become the province of lifestyle gurus and fortune-tellers. It provides a solid philosophical base for change through coaching that is a great foundation. It could serve as a textbook for how to coach. Thanks, Mr. Flaherty.

67 of 73 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Deeply moving and effective, February 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Coaching: Evoking Excellence in Others (Paperback)

I am amazed at the strength of Flaherty's first effort. The well-designed exercises he presents are amazingly effective, and Flaherty's understanding of human behavior is eminently practical. A must-read for any coaching practitioner or anyone who wants a deeper understanding of how to make changes in his/her own life or the lives of others.