The Complete Guide to Coaching at Work

By Suzanne Skiffington and Perry Zeus

Coaching has taken on a permanent role as a way of improving individual performance within an organization. This book is for people interested in becoming coaches within an organization and those already practicing. It explains the skill and competencies required to be an outstanding coach at work. The book clearly defines and explains the nature of coaching and how it works, outlining the different theories and models to present a balanced, objective perspective of the subject. The authors show that coaching is an on-going dialogue: a collaboration between two individuals that encourages learning, development and work performance improvement in the pursuit of skill development goals. It can be adopted at any level in the workplace, educational institution, sporting arena or personal life. The authors reveal what personal quallities are necessary in order to be a successful coach. They discuss coaching and communication skills, and show you how to set strategic goals and develop an action plan. The book also analyzes the contribution of coaching to the processes of change and learning, explaining the different styles of learning, the importance of establishing a learning culture within an organization, and the degree of self-exploration necessary for the individual to achieve sustained behavorial change. The authors also consider in greater detail three specific coaching areas: coaching in call centers, sales coaching, and career coaching, and explain the differences from other related occupations that are often associated with coaching, such as consulting, mentoring, training and counseling, and how all of othem work together.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0074708422
• ISBN13: 9780074708422
• Release Date: May 2001
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Book Company Australia
• Length: 184 Pages
• Weight: 1.14 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.4" x 0.6" x 7.0"

Customer Reviews

I Use This As a Master-Level Coaching Text Book

This book is written as university-level textbook on the coaching profession. It covers what coaching is and how it is used in business today, particularly in Australia the Author's setting. The authors provide coaching models and do a thorough job of describing the core issues and skills of which coaches must be aware. Part one of the book defines coaching as "a conversation, a dialogue, whereby a coach and coachee interact in a dynamic exchange to achieve goals, enhance performance and move the coachee forward to greater success" (page xiii). They write of what coaching is, and is not, and what are the qualities of a successful coach. Part two describes business coaching, executive coaching, the manager as coach and team coaching. Each is addressed in a separate chapter with helpful information, tools, and tips on the "how-tos" of coaching that particular client. These chapters are rich in advise on what to watch out for and pay attention to when working with a certain type of client. Part three speaks to coaching skills and issues. One chapter starts out as goal setting and then backs up to the client purpose, vision and values as a base for establishing goals. The coach can surface greater perspective and awareness in the client by using helpful tools to assess these three areas of client's life. I believe this is one of the most valuable aspects of coaching, only recently acknowledged by professional coaches (Life Coaches knew this all along) as the key to improving client performance. Other chapters deal with, by now, standard coaching skills such as listening, questioning, non-verbal communication, learning styles, resistance to coaching, and self-limiting beliefs. This book is an excellent source for the nature and practice of coaching. The authors have incorporated many other coaches' techniques into their text. Coaching books will always have the limitation of being written word and not live dialogue. It is impossible to gain the skills of coaching through any book. However, for the beginner or intermediate coach, the coaching issues, tips and advice in this book are well worth the price.

A solid reference!

If you are looking for a solid framework for professional coaching this resource is a must. In this book you are presented professional coaching models, a great range of templates and tips and traps every coach should be alert to.It is presented in an easy to read format that allows this information to be employed in either an internal or external coaching practice. This is not just a book to read it is an action plan.

A thorough, lucid and practical 'how-to' text on coaching.

This book, written in non-academic prose and strewn with practical examples, is the most comprehensive book yet authored on the contemporary involvement of coaches in the business and executive development world. The book can serve as both a reference text for experienced coaches and a 'how-to' book for coaches seeking instruction. The book is also appropriate for those who want to make decisions about using coaches or establishing a coaching culture or academics or trainers seeking a primary text on coaching for use in an educational setting. Throughout the book, the authors underscore the importance of coaching as a learning opportunity. In tackling these issues the authors provide a blueprint for coaches on how to become more effective and increase their ability to work with a variety of clients. As coaching continues to grow as an applied profession, dominated by practitioners, its credibility is strongly enhanced when solid ideas are presented in a clear, articulate, and succinct fashion. This book easily achieves all those criteria and will add considerably to the wealth of knowledge and professional skills associated with coaching.