3 Best Books to Excel as a Life Coach

Coaches seek to excel through constant learning -  one of the traits of the committed and dedicated coach. With so many courses and books available to read, where do you begin?  Look no futher.

We recommend 3 easy read books on the actual coaching practice so that you may learn to excel.

  

Top Picks: The 3 Best Books to Excel as a Life Coach

The table shows the key features of these must have books.

Scroll down for a more detailed recommendation on the 3 must have books for the practising life-coach: The Coaching Manual; Coaching for Performance; Transformative Coaching.

The Coaching Manual 

 Key features:

- Provides the 'how to' of coaching.

- Every day language. 

- Written by a practising coach.

- Easy to read.

- Great value.

Coaching For Performance

Key features:

- Easy framework to follow.

- Easy reading.

- Written by one of the biggest names in coaching.

- Stands the test of time.

 Transformative Coaching

Key features:

 - Provides the 'how to' of coaching

- Introduces new model of coaching.

- Supported by Theory of Transformative Learning.

- In-depth.

- Written by practitioner researchers.

 

  

Top Pick: The Coaching Manual

 

The Coaching Manual is one of those books which does what it says on the front cover: this is a manual of coaching. From start to finish Julie Starr describes the process based upon her experience as an expert coach.  A real feature is the 'how to of coaching' that translates theory into practise.

This book will help you learn and reflect on the skills, beliefs and perspectives of exceptional coaches. The Coaching Manual provides you with thought provoking exercises for you to excel as a coach. This is the perfect resource for both beginners and more experienced coaches who strive for excellence.

 

 

 

Key features:

- Provides the 'how to' of coaching.

- Every day language. 

- Written by a practising coach.

- Easy to read.

- Great value.

 

Negatives but not deal breakers: This book is similar to a number of other titles written by the author. If you already have her other books then this may not be for you. This 3rd edition is not available in Kindle format. A newer 4th ed is available but double the price.

 

Top Pick: Coaching For Performance

 

Coaching for Performance is one of the very first professional creations of a coaching manual in the United Kingdom. Sir John Whitmore was a pioneer of coaching in the UK and his book has introduced the foundation of all coaching models: GROW. This is a back to basics book that is simple and easy to read. By going back to the foundations of coaching, the practitioner can then build on their techniques and move towards life coaching excellence.  If you are a coach and have not read this book, then you should.

 

 

Key features:

- Easy framework to follow.

- Easy reading.

- Written by one of the biggest names in coaching.

- Stands the test of time.

 

Negatives but not deal breakers: This book was first published in 1992 and is an introduction to coaching and specifically the GROW model. It could be considered too basic. The 25th Anniversary Edition is expensive compared to other editions.  

 

Top Pick: Transformative Coaching

 

Transformative Coaching is comprehensive and builds on the theories of coaching and reflective learning by Mezirow. This is an excellent book for the coach who wants to take their knowledge to the next level and understand the underpinning theories. This is a great resource for the top coaches and will leave you reflecting on how you can improve your life coaching skills. It is placed as number 3 due to the complexity that some coaches may not like.

 

 

 

Key features:

Provides the 'how to' of coaching

- Introduces new model of coaching.

- Supported by Theory of Transformative Learning.

- In-depth.

- Written by coach/researchers.

 

 

Negatives but not a show stopper: An in-depth book that is not for the coach who is seeking an easy read. It has been written by the practitioner researchers with theoretical foundations at its core. The higher price will also put off some coaches. 

 

What Next?

If you're looking to excel at life coaching buy yourself at least one of these 3 best books.  

- If you're after an introduction into the 'how to' coaching and perhaps continue developing as a coach then buy The Coaching Manual.

- If you'd like to learn or revisit the basics of life-coaching then buy Coaching for Performance. 

- If you're interested in a more in depth and theoretical read into coaching then buy Transformative Coaching.

 

 

 


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