Behind Closed Doors: Stories from the Coaching Room Paperback – 1 Mar. 2013

Behind Closed Doors is an unusual and intimate coaching book that gives a unique insight into what happens within executive coaching relationships, through the reflections of Executive Coaches. I found it fascinating and absorbing and note with some admiration the Coaches who have literally bared and shared their soles and practice in the pursuit of learning and learn I did! The Prologue quotes Socrates who said that the "unreflected life is not worth living " and then suggests that the "unreflected coach is not worth hiring "and that resonated strongly with me. The value of this book and there is much to value is in essence; how this group of coaches reflected on their own life story, noticed how this showed up in their coaching and the impact it had on the coaching relationship and coachee outcomes. There is great learning in this book for Executive Coaches who are curious about the treasures they can harvest from inquiry and reflective practice. Niamh Shiells,Chair Association for Coaching Ireland

Wonder what goes on behind that closed door? Here you are invited to share some revealing exploration into the coaching relationship.The book is grounded on deep inquiry; each coach sets out to reflect on an aspect of their work and to engage their clients in this process. The result is some fascinating discussion about aspects of the coaching relationship.We are offered insights from the coach, discussion of some challenging moments and changes in practice encouraged by the reflection.Each author bravely steps up and opens the door, offering honest and fascinating accounts. As the reader I am left feeling challenged and motivated, with new questions of my own.

'Behind Closed Doors' is as enlightening as it is provocative. The authors have skilfully and elequently brought the rigour of academic study to what they quite rightly describe as the 'messy business' of coaching. It is a truly human and authentic account of the subtleties and sensitivities of the coaching journey. This is a journey that deserves reflection and each chapter provides a new layer of insight and learning.This book certainly warrants a second reading - you will want to go back into the very personal accounts of coaching practice described therein and in doing so stimulate and enhance your own reflective learning as a coach. Johanna Fullerton, Business Psychologist & Director of SEVEN, Psychology at Work.

Behind Closed Doors is a fascinating book that at once makes you feel both privileged and humbled. The business of working with the hopes, fears and real-life challenges of an executive coaching client is always an honour, but to get inside the heads and hearts of the coach, as this book enables us to do, is to examine the true meaning of vocation. The coaches in this book care deeply about their clients and their profession and this collection of 11 chapters will provide any coach with an incredible resource of insights to enhance their practice and transform the quality of their client relationships. Well done to all involved, the fluency of the writing and editing makes this an accessible text that I will use often.