Book
Title Leadership Embodiment: How the Way We Sit and Stand Can Change the Way We Think and Speak
Authors Wendy Palmer and Janet Crawford
Publisher CreateSpace
ISBN 978 14929 4669 4
Usefulness *****
In Palmer’s latest book on becoming a more skilful leader, she brings to life methods of leadership and suggests that when we access our body’s natural intelligence we build a way of being that is authentic, compassionate and powerful.
In this practical ‘user’s guide’, Palmer focuses on three leadership competencies: inclusiveness – increasing our leadership presence; centred listening – hearing what is said without taking it personally, and speaking up – taking a stand and speaking one’s truth.
We are invited to consider what happens when we find ourselves under pressure and how we default to automatic response patterns. Palmer offers practices intended to broaden our leadership choices and produce skilful action under pressure.
The authorship is passed to Janet Crawford for the second half of the book. She provides an accessible, practical account of the neuroscience that supports Palmer’s ideas. The explanation of the science will satisfy those who seek a biological understanding of how and why accessing the body’s resources supports learning and change.
This book is a great addition to the field of embodiment and an excellent resource for coaches or mentors who wish to learn about the wisdom of the body.
Eunice Aquilina is director of eaconsult and a consultant at i-coach academy
Book
Title The Coach’s Mind Manual: Enhancing Coaching Practice with Neuroscience, Psychology and Mindfulness
Author Syed Azmatullah
Publisher Routledge
ISBN 978 04158 2813 0
As Azmatullah points out, we “all sit in the driver’s seat of one of the most advanced pieces of equipment in the known universe, but it didn’t get delivered with an owner’s manual”.
This book offers such a manual. The author defines the mind as “an emergent process of self-regulation and self-organisation resulting from the interplay of energy and information between the hierarchical levels of complexity of the brain, the body and the environment”.
It looks at the mind’s ‘management committee’ (the cerebral cortex) which helps us generate contrasting perspectives and make decisions; its ‘middle management’ (limbic system) – exploring motivations and what impedes progress; how events shape the nature of our minds in time; interpersonal dynamics and how we can improve collaboration; how improving our understanding of the mind can maximise potential for creativity, and what the future might look like if we become more skilful in mind management.
The book is an intellectual treat, suggesting a multi-layered, refreshingly different framework for working with the mind, grounded in extensive research. It’s also practical, with lots of self-reflection and role play exercises. Above all, it’s thoroughly inspiring to be reminded what incredible potential our minds offer.
Liz Hall is editor of Coaching at Work and author of Mindful Coaching (Kogan Page, 2013)
Coaching at Work, Volume 9, Issue 2