Coaching Focus
‍Book Reviews

The Financial Times Guide to Mentoring: A Complete Guide to Effective Mentoring by Dr Ruth Gotian and Andy Lopata

See our observations and expert review on The Financial Times Guide to Mentoring. Coaching and leadership insights for practitioners and managers.

Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us - Daniel H. Pink

See our expert review on Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us. Pink explores the science of motivation, challenging traditional beliefs a...

The Mentoring Manual by Julie Starr – Your Practical Guide to Transform Lives

See our expert review on The Mentoring Manual. It’s about igniting potential, building trust, and helping someone navigate their journey with confidence.

Internal Coaching: The Inside Story - Katherine St John-Brooks

See our expert review on Internal Coaching: The Inside Story. A sharp look at the strategic value and practical realities of coaching from within an org...

Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard by brothers Chip and Dan Heath

See our expert review on Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard. Ever tried to get someone to adopt a new habit...

First Break All the Rules - Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman

See our expert review on First Break All the Rules. Instead of trying to fix weaknesses, they focus on enhancing strengths.

Will It Make the Boat Go Faster? - Ben Hunt-Davis and Beveridge

See our expert review on Will It Make the Boat Go Faster?. His journey to Olympic glory, fraught with setbacks and disappointments, is the backbone of t...

You Are Not a Fraud: A Scientist’s Guide to the Imposter Phenomenon - Dr. Marc Reid

See our expert review on You Are Not a Fraud: A Scientist’s Guide to the Imposter Phenomenon. Understanding Imposter Syndrome vs.

Competing in the New World of Work - Keith Ferrazzi, Kian Gohar & Noel Weyrich

See our expert review on Competing in the New World of Work. What if we told you the future of work isn’t coming—it’s already here?

The Power of Followership: A Book That Flips the Script by Robert Kelly

See our observations and expert review on The Power of Followership. Coaching and leadership insights for practitioners and managers.

Coaching as a Leader: How to Coach Individuals and Teams for Improved Performance by Jennifer Kidby

See our expert review on Coaching as a Leader. That helps when you’re sitting in front of people and need a tool in that moment.

The Art of Possibility - Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander

See our expert review on The Art of Possibility. These practices encourage readers to navigate the world with abundance, openness, and optimism.

The Digital and AI Coaches’ Handbook: The Complete Guide to the Use of Online, AI and Technology in Coaching

See our expert review on The Digital and AI Coaches’ Handbook. It is oriented at practitioners, supervisors, trainers, student coaches.

Crucial Conversations by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan and Al Switzler

See our observations and expert review on Crucial Conversations. Coaching and leadership insights for practitioners and managers.

SuperCoaching: Unlocking Exceptional Performance - Graham Alexander

See our expert review on SuperCoaching: Unlocking Exceptional Performance. Alexander's method focuses on harnessing the power of coaching to achieve ext...

The Heart of Change Field Guide: Tools And Tactics for Leading Change in Your Organisation

See our expert review on The Heart of Change Field Guide. Practical tools and tactics for leading organisational change effectively.

Resilient: 12 Tools for Transforming Everyday Experiences into Lasting Happiness by Rick Hanson

See our expert review on Resilient: 12 Tools for Transforming Everyday Experiences into Lasting Happiness. Ever feel like life throws curveballs faster...

Thinking, Fast and Slow – What Coaches Can Learn from Daniel Kahneman’s Masterpiece

See our expert review on Thinking, Fast and Slow. Or trusted your gut… only to realise later it was your bias talking?

Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience - Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

See our expert review on Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience. Published in 1990, it explores the concept of 'Flow'—a state of heightened focus an...

Thanks for the Feedback: The Science and Art of Receiving Feedback Well - by Douglas Stone and Sheila Heen

See our expert review on Thanks for the Feedback. Stone and Heen explore why receiving feedback well is harder than giving it — and how to change that.

Co-Active Coaching -Henry Kimsey-House, Karen Kimsey-House, Sandhal and Whitworth

See our expert review on Co-Active Coaching. One of the most respected coaching frameworks — and why it remains essential reading for professional coaches.

Exploring Strategic Change - Julia Balogun, Veronica Hope Hailey, Gerry Johnson and Kevan Scholes

See our expert review on Exploring Strategic Change. It offers a detailed guide on effectively managing and implementing change within organisations.

Unlocking Potential: A Deep Dive into Neurodiversity Coaching (Coaching Psychology) - Nancy Doyle and Almuth McDowall

Explore key lessons from Unlocking Potential and discover practical neurodiversity coaching insights for leaders and coaches.

The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem by Nathaniel Branden: A Deep Dive

See our expert review on The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem. Self-esteem isn’t just a feel-good concept.

The Work and Life of David Grove: Clean Language and Emergent Knowledge

See our expert review on The Work and Life of David Grove. An in-depth look at Clean Language and its application in coaching and personal development.

The Art of Modern Leadership: Head & Heart - Kirstin Ferguson

See our expert review on The Art of Modern Leadership: Head & Heart. Ferguson makes a compelling case for leading with both analytical skill and human e...

Resilience That Works: Eight Practices for Leadership and Life - By Marian N. Ruderman, Cathleen Clerkin & Katya C. Fernandez

Resilience That Works: Eight Practices for Leadership and

Unlocking the Power of Emotion: A Journey Through Atlas of the Heart - Brené Brown

See our expert review on Unlocking the Power of Emotion: A Journey Through Atlas of the Heart. Ever struggled to put your feelings into words?

Coaching, Mentoring and Organisational Consultancy - Peter Hawkins and Nick Smirth

See our observations and expert review on Coaching, Mentoring and Organisational Consultancy. Coaching and leadership insights for practitioners and man...

Making Sense of Change Management - Esther Cameron and Mike Green

See our expert review on Making Sense of Change Management. A comprehensive guide to the theory and practice of managing and implementing change in orga...

The Human Behind the Coach - Claire Pedrick MCC and Lucia Bardelli's

See our observations and expert review on The Human Behind the Coach. Coaching and leadership insights for practitioners and managers.

Effective Reflective Practice - Christian van Nieuwerburgh and David Love

See our expert review on Effective Reflective Practice. This structured approach ensures that reflection is not just an afterthought but becomes a regul...

Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People – Mahzarin R. Banaji and Anthony G

See our expert review on Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People. That we treat people with kindness.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Stephen R. Covey

See our expert review on The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Why Covey's framework remains one of the most influential personal effectiveness model...

The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team - Patrick Lencioni

See our expert review on The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team. These dysfunctions are: Absence of Trust — Trust is the foundation of any successful team.

Quiet - Susan Cain

See our expert review on Quiet - Susan Cain. Introverts, Cain explains, tend to be reflective, thoughtful, and academic.

Clean Language: Revealing Metaphors and Opening Minds

See our observations and expert review on Clean Language: Revealing Metaphors and Opening Minds. Coaching and leadership insights for practitioners and...

Coaching with the Brain in Mind - David Rock and Linda Page

See our expert review on Coaching with the Brain in Mind. Their book bridges the scientific understanding of how the brain works and the practical techn...

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success - Carol S. Dweck

See our expert review on Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. Those with a fixed mindset believe that abilities such as intelligence and talent are s...

Blink - Malcolm Gladwell

See our expert review on Blink - Malcolm Gladwell. Despite the minimal information, these quick assessments can be surprisingly accurate.

The Chimp Paradox - Dr Steve Peters

See our expert review on The Chimp Paradox. It provides readers with strategies to manage their thoughts and emotions.

Becoming a person of influence – John Maxwell

See our observations and expert review on Becoming a person of influence. Coaching and leadership insights for practitioners and managers.

Coaching Skills: A Handbook - Jenny Rogers

See our expert review on Coaching Skills: A Handbook. She emphasises the importance of listening, asking powerful questions, and using feedback construc...

Positive Provocation - Robert Biswas-Diener

See our observations and expert review on Positive Provocation. Coaching and leadership insights for practitioners and managers.

Mastering Coaching - Max Landsberg

See our expert review on Mastering Coaching. This model provides a framework for coaches to structure their coaching sessions effectively.

Your Brain at Work - David Rock

See our expert review on Your Brain at Work. He discusses optimising using the PFC to enhance productivity and reduce mental fatigue.

Just Listen - Mark Goulston’s

See our expert review on Just Listen. Real, lasting transformation happens when people feel heard, understood, and safe enough to open up.

Coaching for Optimal Energy - Viv Chitty

See our expert review on Coaching for Optimal Energy. A practical guide to helping clients manage energy, not just time — highly relevant for executive...

The Inner Game of Work - Tim Gallwey

See our expert review on The Inner Game of Work. Gallwey introduces the notion of Self 1 and Self 2, concepts borrowed from his tennis instruction.

You're Not Listening - Kate Murphy

See our observations and expert review on You're Not Listening. Coaching and leadership insights for practitioners and managers.

Feel the fear and do it anyway - Susan Jeffers

See our expert review on Feel the fear and do it anyway. Waiting for the fear to disappear before we take the leap.

The Squiggly Career" - Helen Tupper & Sarah Ellis

See our observations and expert review on The Squiggly Career". Coaching and leadership insights for practitioners and managers.

Creating a Coaching Culture - Peter Hawkins

See our expert review on Creating a Coaching Culture. It’s not just theory—it’s a toolkit for action.

Solution Focused Coaching - Green and Grant

See our expert review on Solution Focused Coaching. Grant and Jane Greene emerges as a seminal work, emphasising a future-oriented and goal-driven appro...

Challenging Coaching - John Blakey and Ian Day

See our observations and expert review on Challenging Coaching. Coaching and leadership insights for practitioners and managers.

Masterful Coaching - Robert Hargrove

See our expert review on Masterful Coaching. This partnership is built on trust, mutual respect, and a shared vision.

Becoming a Leader of Impact by Braden Douglas

See our expert review on Becoming a Leader of Impact. An exploration of what it means to lead with genuine influence, purpose and lasting effect on others.

The Discomfort Zone - Marcia Reynolds

See our expert review on The Discomfort Zone. Reynolds argues that leaders can achieve breakthroughs by engaging in and navigating difficult conversations.

The Gift of Thresholds - Trevor Waldock

See our expert review on The Gift of Thresholds. His book is a guide for anyone facing a significant life change, be it personal, professional, or socie...

Sleep - Nick Littlehales

See our expert review on Sleep - Nick Littlehales. Breaking Down the R90 Sleep Model At the core of Littlehales' philosophy is the R90 Sleep Model.

The Resilience Advantage - Al Siebert

See our expert review on The Resilience Advantage. Siebert uses a mix of research findings, real-life case studies, and practical exercises to engage th...

The Speed of Trust, Stephen Covey

See our expert review on The Speed of Trust, Stephen Covey. But what if it was your biggest competitive edge?

Excellence in Coaching - Jonathan Passmore

See our expert review on Excellence in Coaching. It covers a wide array of topics essential to the development and success of coaches across various ind...

A Practical Guide to Mentoring: by David Kay & Roger Hinds.

See our expert review on A Practical Guide to Mentoring:. The strength of the book lies in its pragmatic, no-nonsense style.

What Works in Executive Coaching - Erik de Haan

See our observations and expert review on What Works in Executive Coaching. Coaching and leadership insights for practitioners and managers.

Coaching with Personality Types - Jenny Rogers

See our expert review on Coaching with Personality Types. Practical Applications in Coaching One of the book's strengths is its focus on practical appli...

Person to Person : The Problem of Being Human

See our expert review on Person to Person. The title of the book itself hints at the central theme: human interaction.

The EQ Edge - Stein and Howard

See our observations and expert review on The EQ Edge. Coaching and leadership insights for practitioners and managers.

How Can Man Die Better - Robert Sobukwe

See our expert review on How Can Man Die Better. 🔍 Robert Sobukwe’s story isn’t just a powerful chapter in South African history.

Systemic Coaching and Constellations - John Whittington

See our expert review on Systemic Coaching and Constellations. John Whittington's book, "Systemic Coaching and Constellations", is a notable contributio...

Coaching for Change - Kaye Thorne

See our expert review on Coaching for Change. Key Concepts Explored Thorne introduces several fundamental concepts central to change coaching.

The Confidence Code by Katty Kay & Claire Shipman

See our observations and expert review on The Confidence Code. Coaching and leadership insights for practitioners and managers.

Beyond Goals - David Clutterbuck

See our expert review on Beyond Goals. It offers a fresh perspective on setting and achieving goals in professional environments.

Cope with Change at Work - Stockdale and Steeper

See our observations and expert review on Cope with Change at Work. Coaching and leadership insights for practitioners and managers.

Humble Inquiry - Edgar H. Schein

See our expert review on Humble Inquiry. According to Schein, the solution lies in cultivating an attitude of humble inquiry.

Togetherness - Matt Slater

See our expert review on Togetherness. Slater dives into the psychology of collaboration, drawing on various studies and anecdotes to build his case.

Brilliant Coaching - Julie Starr

See our expert review on Brilliant Coaching. It offers practical advice and insights that are indispensable to anyone looking to develop their coaching...

Empathy: Why It Matters, and How to Get It by Roman Krznaric

See our expert review on Empathy: Why It Matters, and How to Get It. The Case for Taking Empathy Seriously Most people say empathy is important.

The Five-Minute Coach - Cooper and Castellino

See our expert review on The Five-Minute Coach. This approach speeds up the coaching process and enhances the coachee’s self-awareness and personal resp...

Leading Change - John P. Kotter

See our observations and expert review on Leading Change. Coaching and leadership insights for practitioners and managers.

The Happiness Trap - Dr Russ Harris

See our expert review on The Happiness Trap. Discomfort isn’t danger Feeling awkward, nervous or sad is normal.

The Stress Solution - Dr Rangan Chatterjee

See our observations and expert review on The Stress Solution. Coaching and leadership insights for practitioners and managers.

The Person You Mean To Be - Dolly Chugh's

See our expert review on The Person You Mean To Be. Because coaching is about becoming, not just doing.

Mastery in Coaching - Jonathan Passmore

See our expert review on Mastery in Coaching. Jonathan Passmore's "Mastery in Coaching" is an invaluable resource for coaches who aspire to master their...

Climb the Accountability Ladder - Thomas Dunning

See our expert review on Climb the Accountability Ladder. Key Themes Explored Redefining Accountability: Transitioning from a blame-oriented perspective...

Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle

See our expert review on Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle. That alone makes this book worth reading.

Making Sense of Coaching - Angelique Du Toit

See our expert review on Making Sense of Coaching. This mindset enables coaches to create a supportive environment that encourages open communication an...

The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell

See our expert review on The Hero with a Thousand Faces. 🧠 Ever wondered why some stories just click?

Radical Candor - Kim Scott

See our expert review on Radical Candor. What if being a great boss had nothing to do with being nice or being feared, but everything to do with being r...

Building Top Performing Teams

See our expert review on Building Top Performing Teams. how a team coach shows up) is more foundational than tools — the interpersonal, relational work...

Why We Do What We Do - Edward Deci

See our expert review on Why We Do What We Do. Ever wondered why some people chase goals with unstoppable energy while others stall at the starting line?

Impact Players - Liz Wiseman

See our expert review on Impact Players. They work smart: Instead of just working hard, they prioritise tasks with the highest impact.

The Ten Types of Human - Dexter Dias

See our expert review on The Ten Types of Human. This extensive work delves into why people act the way they do, particularly in extreme situations.

Performance Coaching - Carol Wilson

See our expert review on Performance Coaching. Wilson structures her book to cater to both newcomers and seasoned practitioners in the coaching field.

What The 100-Year Life Reveals About Your Future

See our expert review on What The 100-Year Life Reveals About Your Future. Not just existing—but truly thriving?

Clean Approaches for Coaches

See our observations and expert review on Clean Approaches for Coaches. Coaching and leadership insights for practitioners and managers.

Mindfulness for Coaches - Chaskalson and McMordie

See our observations and expert review on Mindfulness for Coaches. Coaching and leadership insights for practitioners and managers.

The Trusted Advisor - David Maister

See our expert review on The Trusted Advisor. Feel like your expertise isn't enough to build deep, lasting relationships?

Transcend - Scott Kaufman

See our expert review on Transcend - Scott Kaufman. However, Kaufman clarifies a common misconception: Maslow never envisioned his hierarchy in pyramid...

Becoming a Coach - Passmore and Sinclair

See our expert review on Becoming a Coach. It provides a deep dive into the essentials of developing effective coaching skills and building a coaching c...