For coaches

Written specifically for professional coaches, these books are designed to help those who help others – people who explore, inspire and challenge. These are my personal favourites; those that have helped me – and can help you – to become even better at coaching.

Adaptive Coaching

Bacon & Spears · Published 2015

A fabulous reference for executive coaching. Written by the CEO of Lore International Institute (now part of KornFerry International) it adds more tools to the executive coaches’ tool box.

Buy on Amazon

Executive Coaching with Backbone and Heart

Mary Beth O’Neil · Published 2007

As coaches we often have more ‘backbone’ or, in my experience, more ‘heart’. Mary’s book shows why both are key to great coaching.

Buy on Amazon

On Becoming a Person

Carl Rogers · Published 2004

This book’s here as Rogerian theory underpins my coaching so I just love it!

Buy on Amazon

Psychology of Executive Coaching

Bruce Peltier · Published 2002

A great reference for understanding the different psychological tools available to coaches. You can then identify which area you want to explore more.

Buy on Amazon

The Skilled Helper

Egan · Published 2006

loved this book as it had so many similarities to my own coaching. It helped me to understand my own coaching model.

Buy on Amazon

Challenging Coaching: Going Beyond Traditional Coaching to Face the FACTS

John Blakey & Ian Day · Published 2012

Definitely a book for coaches to read and reflect on what it means to their own coaching practise and philosophy. ‘Challenge’ is key in coaching. As an ICF-certified coach, I see it links strongly to the competencies `direct communication' and `powerful questioning'. It takes skill to be direct yet not directive.

Buy on Amazon

Snakes in Suits: When Psychopaths Go to Work

Babiak & Hare · Published 2007

As the authors point out, psychopaths are likely to come in the guise of a slick, fast talking, charismatic high-flyer. Emotions are simply used as a dramatic tool, in order to evoke pity, guilt, fear or self-doubt in others, for manipulation purposes. and are completely lacking in connection to any deeper meaning. Definitely worth a read.

Buy on Amazon