Working recently with an organisation on advanced coaching skills I suggested that the only ‘model’ necessary for them was for the conversation to have a beginning, a middle, and an end. They had previously been drilled in GROW. After their 1st practice session the feedback was, ‘we felt liberated’ (by not having to remember and worry about where they were). After many, many years at this, and having studied many, many coaching models it does seem to me that it’s less useful to suggest managers use a model, (which they then try slavishly to follow in true problem solving mode), which by the way is NOT truly linear in any powerful coaching conversation. My experience steers me towards ‘simply’ supporting managers to have more effective conversations by embedding basic skills and developing key competencies through extensive practice and feedback, using real work issues, and encouraging them to create an environment of openness, honesty, trust and collaboration with their people, peers and superiors. So much more about being a leader / manager that shows up with a ‘coach approach’, modelling the the underlying values and beliefs of coaching. For me models become far less important if this environment and practice can be created internally, self and organisation!

• Coaching as a conversation Again and again I bump into this or that model of coaching, a 3 step, 4 step, 5 step, even an 8 step model.  Whilst I do appreciate that all these have their place, and especially for new coaches, are extremely useful for the purposes of 'navigation,' I worry a......
• The Manager as Coach THE MANAGER AS COACH An Introduction to Coaching by RICHARD FOX Preface Coaching and being coached are essential activities for 21st century business leaders and managers.  In an environment of uncertainty, intense competition and globalisation of markets, innovation, creativity and improved performance are vital to business success. “People, not capital,......
• Why is turning Managers into Coaches so difficult? The above question attracted by attention and I replied as follows:  (references are at the bottom of the post) Experience tells me that it's not appropriate to 'turn managers into coaches' and that it's much more relevant to support managers to have a 'coach approach' - seemingly subtle linguistically and......
• Effectiveness of Expenditure on Learning & Development Programmes For discussion purposes only Introduction. Management keep a close eye on the costs of most items in their profit and loss account e.g. office rent, salaries, rent and marketing.  The cost of learning and development programmes, including coaching, is usually less well controlled mainly because it is harder to measure. ......
• Building and applying real coaching skills in managers and leaders Often I hear of frustration and disappointment that managers and leaders  who have been on a coaching skills workshop do very little with it on their return to the workplace.  It seems, from my experience, that the introducing managers to the skills and models applicable in coaching is a realtively......

• Building a Professional Website In 5 Easy Steps With the extensive use of the internet these days, many business transactions are done online. Almost every business has a website these days. Although some customers may go to shop to buy the products, but they do search website to compare the price list. It is now almost necessary that......
• Green Building Materials Green Construction is the practice of building in a way that increases efficiency of the use of materials like energy, water and other materials and resources while reducing the impact on human health and the environment during the process of building through more efficient design, site selection, construction, operation, maintenance......
• 10 Most Common Reasons Why Blogs Fail! Blogging can be a vital part of succeeding online and most bloggers launch into the blogosphere with incredible energy, committed to making their blog a key tool in their efforts. Some stick to blogging and enjoy incredible ROI on the time and effort they expend. But many of those that......
• 6 Ways How The Garmin 405 Forerunner Can Be Your Complete Workout Coach If you are looking for a complete workout coach, the Garmin 405 Forerunner with its many features is it. It is far more than just a runner?s sports watch. Wireless and GPS enabled it will support and challenge you indoors and outdoors, in virtually any environment except water. The Garmin......
• Save Time, Money and Space in Over 80 Ways If you're looking for handy gadgets, tools and various items that can save you time, money or space (or all three!) this list of more than 80 top products is just what you need. Everyone's got saving money on their minds these days- whether your at the grocery store, or......

The world of coaching is full of so many amazing people. Where I started way back  in 1993 was with Alan Fine, of ‘InsideOut’ who supported us to develop some incredible skills on the tennis court, getting results that most could barely believe.  I was then tasked with building a coaching course for managers so we used Alan Fine’s work and that of W. Timothy Gallwey and his work ‘The Inner Game of Tennis.’  We had course delegates building some amazing ball juggling skills on the tennis court!  What followed was a link to the work of Sir John Whitmore – (see below for a review link to his great book, ‘Coaching for Performance’), and the use of the GROW model of coaching

http://www.reviewcentre.com/reviews18008.html

Another on my list would be Myles Downey and his book, ‘Effective Coaching’ which is very accessible and practical for people in the workplace.  He says in his introduction, “Coaching has the capacity to bring humanity back into the workplace.”  Who wouldn’t want more of that!?

http://www.downeycoaching.com/publications.htm

Who do you know that you would nominate as a Coaching Guru?

• Coaching Models–useful or not? Working recently with an organisation on advanced coaching skills I suggested that the only 'model' necessary for them was for the conversation to have a beginning, a middle, and an end. They had previously been drilled in GROW. After their 1st practice session the feedback was, 'we felt liberated' (by......
• Building and applying real coaching skills in managers and leaders Often I hear of frustration and disappointment that managers and leaders  who have been on a coaching skills workshop do very little with it on their return to the workplace.  It seems, from my experience, that the introducing managers to the skills and models applicable in coaching is a realtively......
• Using objects while coaching Using Objects as an aid to a Coaching Conversation   Introduction This article explains how everyday objects such as a pencil, pen, cup, saucer or spoon can be used to great effect in a coaching session.  Applications This technique can be used in any coaching conversation of 30+ minutes where......
• Why Coaching? Performance Related Coaching, its relevance and place in business today   Coaching and being coached are essential activities for 21st century business leaders.  In an environment of uncertainty, intense competition and globalisation of markets, innovation, creativity and improved performance are vital to the survival of businesses.   “People, not capital,......
• Coach Approach to 360° feedback Supporting colleagues in understanding and acting upon their 360° feedback report is a vital role in the development of leadership skills and competencies throughout an organization. Managers can very effectively support each other in all manner of ways; debriefing a 360 report is great example. Use your coaching skills; avoid leading &/or giving......

• Latest IM Update Just thought I would give you an update on what I have been working on since my last post. To be honest, most of my time has been focused on putting together some great giveaways for the Easter JV Giveaway 2010 event. Doors open for this on Tuesday 30 March......
• Tips for Teaching Tennis The bottom line when it comes to coaching or teaching tennis is that if you have a strong beginner's tennis coaching program, then you will be able to develop a long term, sustainable training operation. Putting together a tennis coaching program for younger players that is both exciting and challenging......
• Book Review: The Tipping Point There aren't that many economists who become celebrities; there's something about the profession (or perhaps the people who gravitate to the profession) that keeps them from achieving the same level of almost certain celebrity as, say, athletes or actors.  One of the exceptions to this rule is Malcolm Gladwell, who......
• Book Review: Tennis for Dummies By Patrick McEnroe and Peter Bodo with a forward by John McEnroe The Dummies series has quite a following and these books specialize in breaking down everything complex about a subject until everyone can easily understand it. This latest Dummies book focuses on tennis and was written by John McEnroe’s son, and also features a forward from this well known player. This......
• Blogging Away Debt Interviews Pensioner (The Top Prosper Lender with over 750 thousand Invested.) I (like many Prosper practitioners) have been following the exploits of one pensioner (click to see his portfolio). To date he has invested over three quarters of a million dollars.  Needless to say this guy believes in the law of large numbers. BloggingAwayDebt has a prosper loan as a borrower and recently......