Making Sense Of Coaching

In her latest book, Angélique du Toit goes beyond the techniques and goals explored in most coaching texts to examine the process of coaching and the importance of sense-making for creating meaning and encouraging self-reflection. In doing this, the coaching experience emerges as a type of transformational learning, in which the individual is guided through a journey of discovery and revelation. Theories are drawn together in a fresh and original way which will cause readers to question how coaching should be defined and practised. Dr Angélique du Toit is an academic practitioner and is involved in the delivery of academic programmes and publications related to coaching. She is also an Executive Coach supporting senior executives in their personal development in both the public and private sectors. Electronic inspection copies are available for instructors.

Unlike other books about coaching, Making Sense of Coaching examines the process of coaching rather than its techniques and goals and addresses issues such as the problematic relationship between coach and coachee in business coaching when the explicit goal is to improve individual performance within an organisation.

This superb volume aims to incorporate cutting-edge research designed to transcend the barriers between business and sport. It explores the ways in which diversity can be suppressed by dominant forces.It focuses on the organizational consequences of making sense and assigning meanings to diversity in sporting organizations, paying particular attention to the different approaches used in Europe and America. It concludes with a discussion on their various successes and the ways in which these approaches can be combined to produced a coherent strategy for dealing with diversity in sporting organizations.

In Coaching and Mentoring, the author inspires and provokes readers by asking questions such as ′Are coaching and mentoring the same?′ ′Are we obsessed with skills?′ and ′What is performance?′ He also delves into contemporary debates such as concerns about standards, competencies and codes of ethics, interspersed with views on power, control and politics. Conceived by Chris Grey as an antidote to conventional textbooks, each book in the ‘Very Short, Fairly Interesting and Reasonably Cheap’ series takes a core area of the curriculum and turns it on its head by providing a critical and sophisticated overview of the key issues and debates in an informal, conversational and often humorous way. An entertaining read for Undergraduate, Postgraduate and MBA students or anyone interested in looking for different ways of thinking about coaching and mentoring.

Presents a comprehensive guide for teachers and coaches that details the history, theory, research, and practice of the Teaching Games for Understanding model, and how to incorporate it in both elementary and secondary curriculum.

The ability of a business to engage in real organizational learning and to do so faster and in a more sustainable way than its competitors is being increasingly seen as an essential component of success. In Making Sense of Organizational Learning, Cyril Kirwan examines the wide range of factors necessary to create and sustain organizational learning and knowledge at all levels. At the individual level, the generation of continuous learning opportunities and reflection on experiences are critically important. At the team level, it’s about encouraging collaboration, team learning and the sharing of knowledge. At the organizational level, the emphasis is on building systems to capture and share knowledge and providing strategic leadership for learning. The book shows you how you can best exploit the knowledge that already exists within your organization while at the same time develop the capability of the people that work there. It deals in turn with individual learning; learning with others; learning in organizations; and in particular the role of the HR function and of line managers. Each chapter provides theoretical background and real-world examples. Diagnostic questionnaires, checklists and other tools are also included. Making Sense of Organizational Learning provides an evidence-based argument for the adoption of effective organizational learning policies and practices, and offers a real opportunity to improve performance. Thinking practitioners working in and around learning and development or organization development will find it invaluable, as will those undertaking post-graduate study in HR and related disciplines.

Coaching can work brilliantly. It can help you improve your employee retention levels, succession planning, and organisational creativity. In a supportive culture, managers, coaches and coachees all trust each other and work together. Sadly, even the best-managed coaching programme, with the best coaches, will fail in the real world where the coaching takes place doesn't match the fine words from HR. Spending money on coaching without first ensuring that the groundwork has been done is a fast track to failure. Make sure your training and development budget delivers what you need by first creating a culture that supports coaching.

First Steps in Coaching is an essential guide for anyone starting out in the coaching profession and for existing coaches seeking to develop their craft. It is a practical introduction to the theory, skills and art of coaching. The book′s structure follows the reader′s progression from novice to professional coach, making it an indispensable companion every step of the way. Part one, Learning to Walk, sets out the basics of coaching and considers the key skills of listening, questioning and playing back. Part two, Learning to Run, explores a variety of practical and ethical issues, and looks at coaching as a line manager and coaching a team. Part three, Learning to Dance, examines more advanced topics such as the coach′s use of the self and the nature of the coach-client relationship. The book: Uses clear, uncomplicated language throughout Explains key ideas through brief illustrations from the author′s practice and quotes from leading writers on coaching Contains a wide selection of ideas, models and exercises to stimulate the reader′s learning Encourages students to try things out in conversation, and reflect upon and make sense of their experiences First Steps in Coaching is a must-have book for anyone interested in coaching skilfully, ethically and effectively.