Title Developmental Coaching: Life Transitions and Generational Perspectives

Editors Stephen Palmer and Sheila Panchal

Publisher Routledge

ISBN 978 04154 7360 6

Usefulness 4/5

This book is part of the Essential Coaching Skills and Knowledge series. It seeks to place coaching in the context of a life course, examining the role of a coach in building coping strategies and resources in individuals as they negotiate transitions.  

It is split into two parts. The first explores major life transitions individually, from childhood to retirement, and places them in social, cultural and generational context. Each chapter contains case studies, illustrating and personalising the ideas explored in the chapter and the coaching approach taken to support people. The second part covers in more detail

the application of strengths-based coaching to transition, and the complexities and strategies for managing a workforce that may span four generations, from veterans to Generation Y.

A key theme is the importance of successful negotiation of early life transitions and the impact on how a client handles subsequent ones. Also covered well are generational factors and the different experiences and expectations.

It could have been useful to include a section on common challenges – identity, values and purpose, sense of loss and letting go of roles. Overall, though, a useful resource for giving context to a client’s experience, whether or not they are managing transition.

Charlotte Baker is founder of Undine Coaching www.undinecoaching.com

Coaching at Work, Volume 6, Issue 5