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Life Coaching Reference Books
Here is my selection of the most relevant and useful books on coaching, spirituality, leadership, personal growth, relationships, health and money. I have read and found value in all of them. And in my life coaching and training practice these are the books that have added the most value to my client's lives.
To make these easily accessible to my clients, and those people visiting my web site, I have set up an associate arrangement with Amazon. I chose Amazon for two reasons.
- Firstly, in a random price check of about 10 books, their prices were as good, on average, as several other book retailers I checked out. Some books you can find cheaper elsewhere, but on average, Amazon was competitive. (6 out of 10 were as cheap or cheaper than elsewhere.)
- Secondly, no one matched Amazon's selection and ability to ship as quickly. (Many of the other retailers had a 3 - 6 week shipping delay for many of these books.)
Finally, I hope this reference section is useful to you, and that through the wisdom contained in these books, you find the answers that inform, inspire and transform, your life.
Best Seller
This book raised over $27,000 for the ICF Foundation during my term on the ICF Board. I wrote it because after doing a number of free marketing teleclasses with the ICF, I was completely overwhelmed by how many good coaches are struggling to fill their practices.
I felt it was time to write a marketing book FOCUSED SOLELY ON COACHES. Everything else out there seems to be watered down to to cover consultants, independent business professionals and all sorts of other small business people.
This book focuses solely on what works for coaches. It is written with the benefit of the cumulative experience of over 100 successful coaches. It covers everything you need to know and do to have a successful practice. All the best secrets that have worked for some of the most successful coaches in the business are included. No filler. Just what works.
You can learn more about the book at MARKETING ESSENTIALS FOR COACHES
Index
Coaching Related Books
Co-Active Coaching, 2nd Edition
This is the updated version of the only coaching book that really talks about the nuances of coaching skills, and presents a simple yet proven coaching model. The co-active coaching model is powerful and infinitely adaptable.
This is the book that started it all. John Whitmore's classic is a brief introduction to coaching. It supplies a basic description of the process, and a simple model. Great for people just getting their feet wet. ( It is cheap too.)
This short, goofy looking book, is one of the mandatory readings for coaching certification with CTI. It is about recognizing and dealing with our inner critic or gremlin - that little voice of doubt and smallness - within us all.
Wherever You Go, There You Are
Another of the recommended readings for certification with CTI, this book is a classic that deals with the cultivation of mindfulness. It is written by Jon Kabat-Zinn, to introduce the simple practice of meditation to North American audiences.
Books on Spirituality
For believers, unbelievers, and anyone looking for the real thing. Stephen Mitchell has an incredible gift, to separate the baby from the bathwater, and leave you in awe. One of my all time favorite books.
A classic. Huxley's panoramic view of timeless spiritual truths. In the breadth of his vision, he integrates the best from East and West.
Stephen Mitchell's collection of Zen stories, koans and riddles gives a enlightening introduction to the Buddhist view of life, and leaves one with an appreciation of "mindfulness".
God the Evidence : The Reconciliation of...
Harvard-educated philosopher Patrick Glynn makes a unique contribution to the debate over faith and reason, religion and science. "I am not claiming reason can bring one to belief in God," he writes." What I am saying is this: Reason no longer stands in the way, as it once clearly did."
A Return to Love : Reflections on the...
Marianne Williamson's classic work based on The Course of Miracles. The release of fear, the cultivation of love, and the practice of miracles are recurrent themes. The program has as its goal a personal transformation of the reader.
A breathtaking compilation of sacred writings from all traditions. This is the type of book you leave by your bedside and read, one page at a time.
In this Number 1 bestseller, James Hillman, former director of the Jung Institute, shows how our souls can exert themselves by presenting a road map to understanding our true nature.
The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success
In this mercifully short book (for Chopra) the author reveals how to align yourself with the subtle yet powerful, unseen forces that affect the flow of abundance and success in our lives.
Life After Death offers a fresh, open-minded exploration through the realms of science, psychology, the Bible, and world religions, Harpur searches not for proof, but for evidence. And he finds it in remarkable places.
An autobiography put together from conversations, writings and lectures with Jung's cooperation, at the end of his life. As Jung's work permeates much of modern thought, this book serves to give the reader an appreciation of a great man.
Thomas Moore, internationally renowned theologian and former Catholic monk, offers a philosophy for living that involves accepting our humanity rather than struggling to transcend it. By nurturing the soul in everyday life, Moore shows how to cultivate dignity, peace, and depth of character.
Tao Te Ching : A New English Version
Lao-tzu's Tao Te Ching, or Book of the Way, is the classic manual on the art of living, and one of the wonders of the world. In eighty-one brief chapters, the Tao Te Ching looks at the basic predicament of being alive and gives advice that imparts balance and perspective, a serene and generous spirit.
Neale Donald Walsch's work of uncommon clarity. If you can get by the heresy, you will find some value here.
Frankl's moving and profound work, coming out of his experiences in the holocaust. One of most powerful and relevant works of original thought, with benefit for each of us.
Books on Leadership
The Classic. This is the leadership book that outshines them all. With an expanded research base of 60,000 leaders, this second edition captures the continuing interest in leadership as a critical aspect of human organizations.
Leadership from the Inside Out
Kevin Cashman takes the reader on a very personal journey of leadership, starting from the inside and moving out. This is a great book that recognizes the truth that no change is sustainable unless is built on a strong personal foundation.
There is no script for being a great leader, and no way to play act in the role. It's the inner work that creates the difference between a manager and a leader. This book traces the common inner work done by successful leaders.
Another classic, written in Covey's wordy style, that helps the individual examine the rose of their own leadership compass.
Some of the best of Bennis. This book puts together his thoughts on the competencies of leadership, managing change, and the character of a leader.
Senge has been a must read for years. He touches on all aspects of leadership including personal mastery, mental models, visioning, etc.
This is a classic work on the nature of change, and how to deal with it. (Great for personal as well as professional change.)
Jim Collins and his researches took a long hard look at what it takes to make a big breakthrough in business. His finding are surprising and extremely valuable. This is the book that has my leading-edge executives buzzing. A must read.
Personal Growth and Development
This one started a whole new genre. Scott Peck starts the reader on a journey towards greater truth, responsibility, choice and love.
How to Get What You Want and Want What You Have
John Gray provided a step by step program towards greater success and fulfillment, including instruction on how to deal with those pesky blocks that keep us from what we want and deserve.
Feeling Good : The New Mood Therapy
In this book, David Burns teaches readers how to recognize and change the thoughts that give rise to feelings. Generally our unconscious mind tends to distorts reality. This book teaches you how to change those thoughts.
Daniel Goleman's work on the importance of emotional intelligence. This work introduces the subject. Also see his book Working with Emotional Intelligence. (More useful and practical.)
Big seller with a step by step guide for turning around your life. Not a lot new here, but many people have benefited from it.
Ken Wilbur is sharp, and in this ambitiously titled book, he presents a way of looking at life, that will shift your perspective.
Excuse Me, Your Life is Waiting
Forget about the power of positive thinking, Lynn Grabhorn will give you a great argument for focusing on the power of positive feeling.
Books for Relationships
Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus
Great book for raising your sensitivity to the different needs and desires of men and women.
If you had to pick only one book to read on relationships, this would be it.
This book is about learning the different ways we prefer to show and receive love. Knowledge of this work has helped many relationships.
Fabulous book for anybody in a relationship. Very valuable for anybody serious wanting, or needing, to make a breakthrough in their relationship.
Practicing the Presence of People
Mike Mason does a wonderful job of helping us be very present with people.
Books on Health
Just a good common sense approach.
Eating Well for Optimum Health
No fads here, simply practical and well researched advice that combines the best of east and west holistic thought on nutrition.
Books On Money
This book will shake a few of your habitual thoughts on money, and have you thinking like an entrepreneur.
Guess what is the vehicle of choice of America's millionaires? If you said anything other than a Ford pickup, you have a lot to learn about the people that make and keep the most money.
This one explores the difference between making a living and making a life.
Recent Reads
Here are a few books I have read recently that I think you will find interesting.
The Happiness Hypothesis
John Haidt, one of the leading lights of Positive Psychology and a professor at U. of Virginia, blends the best of modern science and ancient wisdom in this easily read book. This is a must read for coaches.
Social Intelligence
The indefatigable Daniel Goleman shiftsh is focus to the nuances of social intelligence. A good read for coaches and anyone who works with groups and is interested in the science of relationships.
General Theory of Love
A great read on anyone interested in the study of love, attachment, and growth.
The Ancestral Mind
Harvard's Gregg Jacobs does a good job at describing the difference between our thinking/planning/worrying mind, and our powerful/quiet/intuitive "ancestral" mind. He also summarizes what has been shown to help better access and balance the two minds.
Resonant Leadership
I believe this is a very important book for anyone who works with people. Boyatzis's summary of the impact of everyday stress has important implications for all of us.
Loving What Is
This is a classic by Byron Katie that will guide you through the process of uncovering your negative automatic thoughts.
Kosmic Consciousness
Love him or hate him, Ken Wilbur is a force in modern thought. His Integral Theory is a broad and powerful framework that can be used to make sense of anything. If you tried to access Integral Theory though Ken's written work, and found yourself with a splitting headache, try listening to this series of tapes.
Integral Spirituality
Of Ken's written work, this is the easiest read I have found. And his reconciliation of this broad and important topic is excellent.
Integral Spirituality: A Startling New Role for Religion in the Modern and Postmodern World
Free Life Coaching Consultation
If you are seriously considering working with a coach, please feel free to contact me. I would love to talk with you, get a feel for what you want to achieve through coaching, give you a feel for how it works, and answer any questions you might have. Then you can decide if there is value for you in coaching.
You can best reach me by email at steve@acoach4u.com
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