Book Review: Coaching: Evoking Excellence in Others

This book review is part of a series that covers the topic of Success Coaching, a motivational tool that will help someone stay focused on a goal or path with help from a self improvement professional. Jim Allen is the Official Guide to Success Coaching.nnCoaching: Evoking Excellence in Others, by James Flaherty, is a valuable resource for people interested in Success Coaching, and it is available through Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.nnReviewsn"At long last, a book on coaching that moves beyond 'advice from the sidelines.'" --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.nPeter M. Senge, MIT and Society for Organizational Learningnn"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."n-- Richard Strozzi-Heckler, Ph.D., Founder of Somatic Coaching and author of The Anatomy of Change and Holding The Centernn"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." n-- Craig OFlaherty, Director, Centre for Coaching, Graduate School of Business, University of Cape Town, South Africann"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." n--Michele Goins, Vice President and Chief Information Officer, Imaging and Printing Group, Hewlett-Packard Companynn"James Flaherty focuses on the commonly overlooked fact that a coachee is a "human-being." He effectively emphasizes that this is nthe most important aspect that a coach should always have in mind, something that many of us tend to forget.nIt 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."n-- Mamoru Itoh, President, Coach21 Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japannn"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."n-- Jerry I Porras, Lane Professor of Organizational Behavior and Change Emeritus, Graduate School of Business, Stanford University and Co-Author, Built to Last nnAbout the AuthornJames Flaherty has devoted his career to coaching and leadership training in both the corporate and public sectors. His uniquely effective approach to adult education includes practical applications of the work of such thinkers as Heidegger, Flores, Habermas, Austin, Searle, Maturana, Rorty, and Wilber. He has led workshops in coaching, communication, leadership, and project management for more than 12,000 people. These have included participants from many Fortune 500 companies such as AT&T, FMC, Chrysler, Pacific Telesis, Ernst & Young, Cargill, Levi Strauss, and Coopers & Lybrand.