Quick & Easy Resources

Atul Gawande, New Yorker. ​A great endorsement for coaching - even for professionals who are at the top of their game.   http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2011/10/03/personal-best

TED Talk by Atul Gawande, This excellent TED Talk is the companion to his New Yorker article "Personal Best". https://www.ted.com/talks/atul_gawande_want_to_get_great_at_something_get_a_coach

Speech by John Gardner, Delivered to McKinsey & Company, Phoenix, AZ, November 10, 1990. In this outstanding speech, Gardner makes a strong case for the importance of lifelong learning, epitomized by his quote, "It's what you learn after you know it all that counts." http://www.pbs.org/johngardner/sections/writings_speech_1.html

 David Rooke and William R. Torbert, Harvard Business Review. A clear explanation of Adult Development Theory and how personal growth intersects with and impacts leadership development. Some coaching clients find this article very helpful in explaining changes they are experiencing.   ​https://hbr.org/2005/04/seven-transformations-of-leadership

 Daniel Goleman, Harvard Business Review. Goleman's definitive article on emotional intelligence explains why it takes more than intelligence and technical competence to be a good leader. Emotional Intelligence - self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skill - is crucial. http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/DIII/What Makes a Leader.pdf 

How To Pick an Executive Coach - Things you need to look for and questions you should ask", by Thuy Sindell, Ph.D and Milo Sindell, M.S., Psychology Today. This is a good article to read prior to selecting an executive coach.  https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-end-work-you-know-it/201208/how-pick-executive-coach 

by Chalmers Brothers, New Possibilities Press, 2005: This is the book I recommend to coaching clients more than any other. Although "Leadership" is not in the title, it will help leaders conduct more productive, satisfying conversations - and that makes for better leaders. Key topics include improving listening, building trust, and accountability.

by Marilee Adams, 2009: Although it will take only an hour or two to read, practicing Ms. Adams recommendations for asking questions can make a big difference in our effectiveness and how we are perceived by others. Her premise is, "Great results begin with great questions". It is a simple concept with powerful results.  

 by Michael Bungay Stanier, Page Two Books, 2016: This very short and extremely practical book is an outstanding guide to help leaders start coaching their team members. The author explains 7 short, simple questions that help team members think for themselves and create their own solutions and develop their talents. A "must read" for leaders who want to lead with a coaching mindset.

by Marcus Buckingham and Ashley Goodall, Harvard Business Review Press, 2019: An excellent book that challenges widely accepted practices in performance management, feedback, identifying high potential employees, corporate goal setting, work/life balance, etc.

By Daniel Goleman, Harvard Business Review Classics, 2017: This 87-page, double spaced, large font book is small enough for your pocket and is a "must have" for any leader who wants to articulate their leadership style. Goleman describes 6 leadership styles and offers practical tips for how to implement. Buy this book!

 by Robert I. Sutton, 2010. Although the title may be crude, this book offers very practical, useful suggestions for improving one's work environment. One toxic employee can wreck an entire team. This book helps steel supervisors to remove toxic employees and reap skyrocketing office morale and an accompanying long-term productivity surge.

Chalmers Brothers and Vinay Kumar, New Possibilities Press, 2015: This book applies the great material from Language and the Pursuit of Happiness to the workplace. The authors offer techniques to help leaders conduct more productive, satisfying conversations, which is one of the main things leaders are paid to do.

By Matthew Syed: Penguin Random House, 2015: This is a great book to read if you want to encourage innovation in the workplace and help your team learn from mistakes.

by Michael M. Lombardo and Robert W. Eichinger: Lominger, The Leadership Architects, 2004: A good resource for guiding development of future leaders in large organizations.