The Heart of Coaching: Using Transformational Coaching to Create a High-Performance Coaching Culture (3rd Edition)

For this to occur, a common coaching approach driven by coaching UP, DOWN, and SIDEWAYS is necessary. Coaching flows in all directions to managers, peers, and direct reports. Coaching becomes the normal "way we do things around here."

The premise of "The Heart of Coaching" was never more true. "As coaching becomes a predominant cultural practice...it will create a performance-focused, feedback-rich organization capable of creating and sustaining a competitive advantage."

This "Second Edition" makes the use of the enhanced coaching model easier to use than ever, since it now includes a colorized snapout reference card. Additionally, several powerful enhancements of the Transformational Coaching methodology make it one of the most comprehensive, and systematic approaches to coaching you will find today.

It guides leaders, managers, and entire teams who want to enhance or master their coaching skills through 2 critical aspects of coaching: 1. establishing authentic, healthy and respectful coaching relationships, and 2. organizing and conducting the actual coaching conversations that lead to commitments for positive results that both the coach and the coachee are willing to support.

Finally, don't skip over the section of the book dealing with the personal side of coaching, the "heart" of the transformational coach. In this section, you will find the "Transformational Coach's Credo". The credo may not state anything which is revolutionarily new but, if followed consistently, the credo would certainly help the typical department workplace to exude greater enthusiasm, productivity and camaraderie (come to think of it, maybe such results could be considered revolutionary!).


From the Heart AND A Big Potential Pay-Off for Companies   February 17, 2001
Mary R. Bast (Gainesville, Florida United States)
35 out of 38 found this review helpful

In a September 2000 Time Magazine article there was an important message for organizations about coaching: Ours is a fast-paced and changing marketplace and there's a big potential pay-off for companies whose managers know how to help valued employees develop and adapt to the changes. Crane's superior book shows how to do that -- how to provide feedback with respect, with clarity, and in a partnership that empowers people to contribute increasingly at higher levels of performance. It is current, practical, and my key resource in teaching managers how to coach. I particularly appreciate the "heart" of this approach -- the commitment to know and appreciate people as human beings and to transcend the traditional boss/subordinate relationship. If you are a manager, get this book. If you are a professional coach to managers, get this book.


Should be on the bookshelf of every organizational leader!   March 30, 1999
Tom Brown, PhD : shamantom@aol.com (Cincinnati, Ohio)
22 out of 23 found this review helpful

I was in the middle of reading Dan Goleman's book, WORKING WITH EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE. I kept thinking, "This is great, but how does one apply the concepts?" Then one of my colleagues gave me a copy of THE HEART OF COACHING. It answered my question. Tom Crane has written a clear and concise book. His ideas on "transformational" coaching as an ongoing cycle of creating a solid "foundation", developing a "learning loop", and "forwarding the action" is a practical description of how to create empowerment and high performance in any organization. I am recommending this highly readable and extremely useful guide to all who are interested in putting the"heart" back into the work we all do.


A coach's bible: jam packed with heart and substance   October 14, 1999
Jeff Zakaryan (globalleader@msn.com) (Dana Point, CA. USA)
19 out of 21 found this review helpful

Tom Crane has accomplished a difficult task--capturing the "essence" of coaching while building a rock-solid foundation for practicing this emerging art and science.

The Heart of Coaching should be kept close at hand to mine it's many tools and techniques and to rejuvenate coaches when they lose sight of why this is such a rewarding and difference making field of work.


Simply the Best Book on Coaching Available   January 17, 2001
Kim Silverman (San Diego, ca USA)
19 out of 21 found this review helpful

Tom Crane's The Heart of Coaching provides easy to read and even easier to apply principles of coaching and leadership. The integration of logical and heartfelt approaches assures successful implementation. It is a great example of how to treat people with care and respect while getting results.

I found each chapter to be full of useful and thought provoking material for the coach and manager alike. The distinctions between a boss and a coach on page 121 are excellent. In fact, I've posted them in my office to remind me daily.

Every time I pick up this book I find pearls of wisdom, what makes the book unique is how the author presents them in such a user-friendly manner. I found reading this book easy and informative. I find applying what I learned profound.

The quotes sprinkled throughout the book are an added bonus.

This is a must read for anyone who wants to be more effective interacting with others!