Book
Title Beyond Goals: Effective Strategies for Coaching and Mentoring
Editors Susan David, David Clutterbuck and David Megginson
Publisher Gower
ISBN 978 14094 1851 1
Usefulness *****
This volume, which includes contributions from Whitmore, Deci, Kram, Boyatzis and the joint editors, leads the reader through some seminal thinking on goals, and early work on goal theory, and clearly demonstrates the pervasiveness of goals in our cultures and businesses.
It is made clear that goals can have both a beneficial and a less than benign effect, and the view that goals are universally positive is subjected to critical inquiry in the 17 chapters.
This book is rich in content, such that any attempt to summarise, or encapsulate each of these contributions is futile; suffice it to say that if you thought you knew about goals, then this book will make you think again – and again.
Practices relating to goal orientation in coaching and mentoring in Europe and the US are explored, with differences highlighted, and commonality of practitioners’ reservations about use of goals.
Naturally we see some discussion around the definition of goals, and their psychological, contextual and cultural drivers. Grant explores these constructs, as well as a highly engaging discussion on goal hierarchy.
The ebb and flow of this book feels carefully crafted. As a coach, and as a human being, you will be changed and challenged by it.
Rob Kemp is founder and partner at Purple Patch Coaching
Book
Title Personal Consultancy: A Model for Integrating Counselling and Coaching
Author Nash Popovic and Debra Jinks
Publisher Routledge
ISBN 978 04158 3393 6
Usefulness ****
This book is what one of my therapist colleagues describes as: “A reassuring book for counsellors who believe they are coaching already, but need affirmation they are on the right track.”
The first few chapters are a gentle introduction to the different helping concepts and the Personal Consultancy Model itself. Obviously
the book is written for practitioners with a therapeutic background, though I would have used less technical jargon to describe aspects critical to me as a coach, but for which I use simpler concepts. However, it was stimulating to look at similar ideas through a different lens.
Linda Aspey’s chapter covers an integrative approach to leadership coaching, describing using ‘managed eclecticism’, as coined by David Clutterbuck. I like the way Linda writes about the Personal Consultancy framework as a way of mapping her practice. Another thought-provoking chapter is Yannick Jacob’s
‘Existential Perspectives on Integration’.
This excellent and comprehensive book is a liberating catalyst to making more coach/counsellors comfortable with ‘coming out’ about their integrated practice. It is also a robust read for coaches to broaden our knowledge and affirm the similar foundations of our practice to those of the counselling profession.
Lis Merrick is a consultant and visiting fellow of the Coaching and Mentoring Research Unit at Sheffield Business School
Coaching at Work, Volume 9, Issue 4