“The art of coaching is doing, thinking, and being: doing a set of actions, holding a set of beliefs, and being in a way that results in those actions leading to change.” - Elena Aguilar
Let’s take a moment to reflect on the best advice we’ve been given - perhaps from friends, family, mentors, or managers. Whether those trusted individuals recognized strengths we did not previously see, pushed us to make needed changes, or asked us to reflect in ways we had not done before - those were coaching moments. I am eternally grateful for those moments that have shaped my life, and I strive to maintain connections with incredible people who challenge, teach, listen, and support me.
In addition to learning from my own coaches, I study the strategies of others whom I’ll likely never meet, but who have shared their techniques with us. Countless books, podcasts, courses, and articles are easily accessible, giving us an opportunity to refine our practices. Below are some of the books that have influenced me most as a coach. These resources are written for a variety of audiences, but the lessons are applicable to leaders at every level. This is not an exhaustive list, so shout out your favorite coaching books in the comments!
The Art of Coaching, by Elena Aguilar
Why I Love It: Aguilar guides us to hone in on our coaching values and reflective routines as we support others towards reflective, self-sustaining practices of their own. She discusses Directive, Facilitative, and Transformational Coaching, digging into the latter in depth. In Transformational Coaching, we pause to consider the Behaviors, Beliefs, and Ways of Being that we and those we coach bring to the table. We develop an awareness of our identities and how we show up, in an ongoing journey towards transformational change.
Brain/Body Connection - Bonus!: The Art of Coaching pushes us to create safe spaces for the people we coach. Acknowledging links between the brain and body connects social emotional and culturally responsive practices, while encouraging us to model those behaviors in our work.
Additional resources: Resources for coaches and more books including The Art of Coaching Teams.
2. Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain by Zaretta Hammond
Why I Love It: I wish I had this book as a young teacher, as it has shaped my understanding of what it means to be culturally responsive. Hammond urges readers to build trust and push students to deeper levels of thinking through an understanding of how the brain works. As we build trust with students, we must at the same time thoughtfully engage them in a productive struggle with the content. Hammond’s explanation of how the brain learns gives us a “why” behind instructional strategies like creating a hook for a lesson, chunking content, and connecting new information to prior knowledge.
Brain/Body Connection - Bonus!: All humans seek safety first, before we can engage in deeper, more complex thinking. Creating safe spaces for our students (as well as for adults) calms the body’s stress responses and paves the way for higher-order thinking.
Additional resources: A blog, newsletter, and new book coming later this year.
3. The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stanier
Why I Love It: Stanier provides a framework for focused staff meetings by posing thoughtful questions (also a great teaching strategy). Effective questions include “What’s on your mind?” and “What else?” This allows us to get a quick status update through a rich discussion of the staff member’s top priorities and current challenges. Targeted questions also allow a coach or manager to determine how we can support the staff member, clear a path, or help them access the resources needed to navigate roadblocks.
Additional resources: Box of Crayons, Stanier’s organization, has more books, a podcast, free downloads, and a blog.
4. Daring Greatly by Brené Brown
Why I Love It: I love everything Brené Brown! Her straightforward, humble delivery resonates with me, and each time I hear her speak, I leave with a deeper understanding of the human experience. This was my first Brené book, and it changed me forever. She names that no matter how difficult or scary it can feel to be vulnerable, we are wired for connection. Brown encourages us to get clear on whose opinions matter, to take the risk to be vulnerable with those who earn our trust, and to keep getting back in the arena, even after we are knocked down.
Additional resources: Netflix special “The Call to Courage,” more incredible books, Ted Talks, resources on her website, and a podcast coming soon!
5. Trillion Dollar Coach by Eric Schmidt, Jonathan Rosenberg, & Alan Eagle
Why I Love It: Bill Campbell, a gifted business leader and Columbia alum, coached some of the country’s most influential tech leaders, including Google executives (the authors), Steve Jobs, and Sheryl Sandberg. Bill began his career as a football coach and harnessed that style to leave a lasting legacy in the business world. Bill led with his authentic blend of tough love and a brilliant strategic mind, pausing first to consider the team dynamics in any given challenge.
Additional resources: The authors also wrote How Google Works.