Here are 8 Great BOOKS for Coaches, and HOW they helped me become a better Coach.
1. Atomic Habits by James Clear
How It helped me
It gave me SYSTEMS to break bad habits and form good ones. ”you do not rise to the level of your goals, you fall to the level of your systems." I now ask all my coaching students to read it before they join the training.
Key Quote
“If you can get 1% better each day for one year, you’ll end up 37 times better by the time you’re done."
2. The Heart of Laser-Focused Coaching by Marion (Anschel) Franklin, MS, MCC, BCC
How I helped me
Have a laser focused mindset and understand the ANATOMY of a great coaching session.
Key Quote
“Until, and unless, you get to the bottom-line truth for your client, you are merely providing a Band-Aid.”
3. Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
How It helped me
It enlightened me on the effect of cognitive BIASES on our decisions. It transformed the way I think about thinking.
Key Quote
“Declarations of high confidence mainly tell you that an individual has constructed a coherent story in his mind, not necessarily that the story is true.”
4. Coach The Person, Not The Problem by Marcia Reynolds, PsyD, MCC
How it helped me
I learned how to shift a coaching conversation from the PROBLEM to the PERSON – from transactional coaching to transformational coaching.
Key Quote
“You don't empower people by giving them tasks and homework. Personal power comes from within, when people feel seen, cared about, and respected.”
5. The Coaching Habit, Say Less, Ask More & Change The Way You Lead Forever by 📚 Michael Bungay Stanier
How it helped me
It gave me my 7 favourite coaching QUESTIONS and most importantly help me understood WHY each question is so important.
I love the witty and conversational tone and how practical this book is for managers and leaders.
Key Quote
“If you’re saying Yes to this, what are you saying No to? “
6. The Culture Map by Erin Meyer
How it helped me
I wish I had this smart analytical FRAMEWORK with actionable advice when I moved to Honk Kong as a manager in 2008…
Now, as a coach, it helps me build rapport and better understand my clients thought-process and beliefs.
Key Quote
“When interacting with someone from another culture, try to watch
more, listen more,
and speak less.”
7. Co-Active Coaching by Henry Kimsey-House, Karen Kimsey-House, Philippe Sandahl, Laura Whitworth
How it helped me I discovered what LISTENING really meant with the 3 levels of listening, and many other core coaching fundamentals in this “bible” of coaching.
Key Quote
“Fear of failing is the number one killer of grand plans and good ideas.”
Laura Whitworth
8. Coaching For Performance by John Whitmore
How it helped me
Shine the light on the origin of the most famous coaching framework: GROW and how leaders and coaches can use it to create high performance culture.
Key Quote
“Coaching focuses on future possibilities, not past mistakes”
What is your favorite book ?
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