This book offers a thorough description of coaching and its aims, and can be adapted for use both in and out of the workplace.

Myles Downey presents a comprehensive introduction to coaching in the workplace, and reveals to both managers and professional coaches how to get the best out of their team through the implementation of practices that have made him one of Europe's foremost business coaches. As director of the School of Coaching, Downey continues to teach and work as a consultant within large international organizations. His experience has taught him what works and what doesn't. This book strips away the theory and academic definitions in favour of practical exercises, stories, anecdotes and conversations, leaving the ability to coach in the readers' hands. This extensively revised edition features an entirely new section on Understanding Organizational Change, which deals with the reality of coaching within organizations.

Myles Downey is Director of Studies at The School of Coaching, which he established in association with the Work Foundation, with the aim of "developing great coaches who can transform the performance of individuals and teams in organizations." He lives in London, UK.

2005-08-10 Excellent

Immensely readable, this book presents a very interesting discussion of the "art" of coaching from numerous different angles. Downey stresses that coaching is an "art" and explores the principles of, and issues in, business coaching from a variety of viewpoints. This makes the book a great introduction for the beginner, but also a brilliant refresher for experienced coaches to dip into and reinvigorate ideas and principles. Be warned though, this is not a coaching manual. There is no attempt to theorise, no coverage of psychological aspects and little structured coverage of tools and techniques (though there are some inspiring ideas). If you want tools and techniques there are a number of books available (I like "Performance Coaching" by Angus McLeod). However, to establish first principles and set the scene for coaching in a very inspiring and readable manner I highly recommend this.