Following on from the first couple of “Discover Coaching Series” posts this time I focus on key TED Talks, books, articles and podcasts that I’ve tried and tested over my coaching career. This builds on the previous” post that covered different coaching professional associations and other online resources. It's also worth checking out the first post “What’s your personal coaching journey?” to start from the beginning.
BOOKS
I’ve dipped into this book several times over the last few months as a reference tool to both refresh and deepen my knowledge. It is a creative and visually appealing book which pulls together a wide range of different coaching models and theories in an accessible format. A useful resource for students or qualified coaches, coach supervisors, learning and development professionals, HR specialists and anyone in a management position who applies any form of coaching within their management or leadership style.
This book breaks down several disciplines that contribute to the coaching profession; each chapter covers a different area dipping into neuroscience, sports psychology, mindfulness, positive psychology, mastery and goal setting. It covers the main key concepts and loads of references to dive into more reading or research. The Tao of Coaching, Max’s first book is also worth popping on your book bucket list to read.
This was one of the text books during the Analytic-Network advanced coaching course I attended in 2015. It brings a critical perspective, challenging normative assumptions and narratives of the coaching world. Reading through the content and subsequently reflecting on my coaching has unquestionably enriched the depth and systemic overview of my practice.
Simon places coaching within the wider social and historic context and examines the differences between the “wounded-self” (with roots in therapeutic culture) and “celebrated-self” (from the human potential movement); then introduces four discourses of contemporary coaching; soul guide coach, psy coach, managerial coach and network coach.
This book steps away from coaching parse and focuses on a different area to the others I’ve selected above. However, the strap line “Better Life, Better Performance” will undoubtedly reveal its relevance to my work as a performance coach – the diversity of coaching niches is something I’ll be covering within my next post.
In Exponential James Hewitt, Hintsa Performance Head of Science & Innovation, and Dr. Aki Hintsa, legendary Formula 1 doctor and mentor dig into the science of high performance; linking theory and practice with examples from Formula 1 to Fortune 500 companies. Throughout the book various questions are posed to relate the material back to your reality.
What skills will you require to thrive in the ‘fourth industrial revolution?’
Are you performing at your full potential?
When was the last time you stepped back to consider how you live and work?
What if you could maintain your current level of performance, but vastly increase your reserves of energy and time?
ARTICLES
Despite being over fifteen years old (dated Jan 2002) this article pulled together by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants is a great starting point to discover coaching and still contains a wealth of relevant information to kick start your reading.
Susan Kushnir recently published this insightful foray into world of Executive and Leadership Coaching over the last ten years with some predictions of the future written in the accessible format of a school report Talent Economy. It particularly raises the topical areas of team and virtual coaching in the future.
TED TALKS
The first TED (aka technology, entertainment and design) conference was created in February 1984 by Richard Saul Wurman; from 1990 onwards “TEDsters” convened annually at California State University Monterary Bay, although since then they relocated to Long Beach, California, then Vancouver. Since 2006 TED Talks have been available to view free online and TEDx events (independent TED-like events) spark conversation, connection and community. There are now thousands of TED Talks and it’s easy to lose hours browsing through them. The two talks selected below highlight the value of coaching and the main skill: listening.
"You are never done; everyone needs a coach. Everyone. The greatest in the world need a coach".
Atul Gawande
Atul Gawande draws together examples from the medical, sports & music worlds to support coaching in this TED Talk from the 2017 conference "Want to get great at something? Get a Coach".
“We are losing our listening. We spend approximately 60% of time our communication time listening, but we’re not very good at it. We retain 25% of what we hear”.
Julian Treasure
Listening is unquestionably one of the key skills within coaching; an accepted fact that’s recognised where “active listening” is placed as the first Core Competency within the “Communicating Effectively” of the eleven International Coach Federation Core Competencies (above “Powerful Questions” and “Direct Communication”). Sound is Julian Treasures’ passion and he introduces “5 Ways to Listen Better” at TEDGlobal 2011.
PODCASTS
I’m a massive fan of podcasts to exercise and entertain my brain cells during my monthly commutes into London or overseas or during any long endurance training session. The selection of podcasts below are individual episodes that showcase an individual aspect of coaching or cover a more holistic approach to performance, touching on mind-set, and other lifestyle hacks in relation to nutrition, sleep, physical activity and general health.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) is the largest professional body for HR and people development with a worldwide community of around 140,000 members. I’ve been an Associate Member of the CIPD since I commissioned from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 2001. During the first ten years, I’ll admit I rarely accessed any of the resources available; nowadays however, I’m far more engaged and regularly keep up to date with the latest podcasts; for example, #128 "Coaching: it's a culture thing" (5 Sep 2017)
Evan Davis hosts the BBC Radio 4 weekly business conversation show with people at the top, giving insight into what matters. The episode “Lonely at the Top” (19 Mar 2016) covers how many senior executives now employ personal coaches to help them through their toughest business challenges. Coaches can provide confidential, independent support for senior managers who find life lonely at the top. But shouldn't the boss be capable of making decisions on his or her own? And are coaches sometimes the hidden power behind the senior executive throne?
Blaire Palmer challenges our conventional attitudes, beliefs and values to leadership within the wider business environment. Episodes alternate between personal musings and guest interviews with previous podcasts on motivation, the belly of the whale concept, dreaded delegation and deeper reasons behind why we work. I find episode #38 “Listen Up” (23 Jul 2017) particularly relevant within the coaching context.
Unless you’ve been living in Outer Mongolia without internet access for the last five years it’s likely you’ve stumbled across Mr Tim Ferriss. His show has consistently ranked the #1 business podcast on all of iTunes with former guests including Arnold Schwarzenegger, Malcolm Gladwell, Edward Norton, Jamie Foxx. His long form interview style enables conversations to get to the heart of the matter and penetrate far deeper than other podcast material. On the side, his books: The 4-Hour Workweek, The 4-Hour Body, The 4-Hour Chef, Tools of Titan and Tribe of Mentors are worth a read.
The plant powered ultra-endurance athlete who created the EPIC5-Challenge and former entertainment attorney, delves into all things wellness. His website proclaims “A weekly aural dance designed to provoke, educate, inspire and empower you to discover, uncover, unlock and unleash your best, most authentic self’.
Matt Whitmore and Kris Marsden were my main audio companions when I spent hours walking around the 1.5km circumference of Cordoba Compound in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in preparation for the Marathon des Sables in 2015. Their friendly and no-nonsense approach to food led me to completely overhauling my approach to nutrition. That’s had a massive impact on my physical and mental performance. Hot topics range from functional medicine, training and lifestyle to supplements and sleep, to name a few.
I originally discovered Stuart Cooke and Guy Lawrence when I was living in Sydney in 2011/12 & I have to admit their Aussie accent brings back memories of living in Maroubra & being part of the Moore Performance triathlon squad. Golden sunnies aside; in their bi-weekly podcast interviews thought leaders from around the globe, challenge conventional thinking and share their discoveries along the way. Notable guests include; Prof Tim Noakes, Bronnie Ware, Chris Kresser and Rich Roll.
What’s your top recommended coaching resource that’s supported your coaching development?
I'm always keen to check out new resources and expand my portfolio, so please share your ideas and comment below.
Just to recap this “Discover Coaching Series" was designed to consolidate my thoughts, experience and knowledge around coaching and present it in an accessible format for anyone who’s interested in moving into the coaching profession, introducing a coaching-culture in their organisation or simply becoming more coach-like within their everyday life. The idea was formulated after receiving several emails over the last few years which usually follow the format below:
Hello Anna-Marie,
I hope you don’t mind me getting in touch, but I was wondering if I might be able to ask for some advice? I’m thinking of gaining a coaching qualification and given your experience, I would be grateful for any thoughts/ideas you might have whenever you have a spare moment.”
If you know anyone who’s interested in discovering more about coaching; either to support their current role, or move into the coaching profession longer term I’d be grateful if you would share this post.
Many thanks for your support and enjoy developing your coaching skills, knowledge and expertise.
Anna-Marie