Breaking the Coaching Code
How great coaches transcend the rules
Published on 28. October 2025
Book
Hardback
176 pages
978-1-78860-827-5 (ISBN)
Description
Coaching is being transformed. As low-cost coaching platforms and AI develop, coaches need to differentiate themselves to survive and thrive. Does that mean ironing out the wrinkles, gaining more badges and credentials? Perhaps following rules just makes us more human robots.
The truth is that you don't need to be a perfect coach to be a transformational presence; often, your own brand of human frailty is exactly what the world - and your client - needs right now. Mature coaches can respect the rules but not be bound by them when they tap into their internal wisdom.
Karen Foy, BA, MSc is a Master Certified Coach with over 20 years' experience, and a certified coach educator, mentor and supervisor. She has recently retired as the Programme Director of accredited coaching programs at Henley Business School, where she is still a visiting tutor and Honorary Fellow.?
The truth is that you don't need to be a perfect coach to be a transformational presence; often, your own brand of human frailty is exactly what the world - and your client - needs right now. Mature coaches can respect the rules but not be bound by them when they tap into their internal wisdom.
Karen Foy, BA, MSc is a Master Certified Coach with over 20 years' experience, and a certified coach educator, mentor and supervisor. She has recently retired as the Programme Director of accredited coaching programs at Henley Business School, where she is still a visiting tutor and Honorary Fellow.?
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Tadley
United Kingdom
Product notice
Paper over boards
Illustrations
1 Graphs; 10 Illustrations, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 222 mm
Width: 145 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight
471 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-78860-827-5 (9781788608275)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
10/2025
Practical Inspiration Publishing
€9.49
Available for download
Persons
Karen Foy is a Master Certified Coach with over 20 years' experience, and a certified coach, mentor and supervisor and educator. Karen holds a BA Psychology from the University of Sheffield and an MSc Coaching Psychology from the University of East London. She has recently retired as the Programme Director of accredited coaching programmes at Henley Business School, where she is still a visiting tutor and Honorary Fellow.?
Content
Part 1: Radical Self-Honesty
Introduction
Singing the Chorus: Setting the context for the book from a personal perspective
Chapter 1: Why Transcend the Rules?
A personal reflection that brings to life the concept of first and second stage learning and the rationale for becoming one's own version of a coach not following the prescripts of others.
Chapter 2: Why do you coach?
A deeper look at what we are trying to achieve with coaching and an honest reflection for the reader on their motivation for engaging in it. 'Whose needs are we serving?'
Chapter 3: Dropping the Performance
Following on from discoveries about why I coach, this chapter will help coaches move away from the trap of feeling the need to 'add value', to increase their presence and forget about performing. Giving up reaching to be a good coach to become a great one.
Chapter 4: The myth of the objective observer
A chance for the coach to break free from the delusion of being a passive observer in the coaching conversation to draw on their thoughts, feelings and intuitions in service of the client.
Chapter 5: What does this mean for your coaching mindset?
How all of this awareness impacts the coaching relationship and a chance to gather insights for the exploration of partnership. Where are you now?
Part 2: Curious acceptance of difference
Chapter 6: Building a brave space for exploration.
Finding your way to build a trusting partnership that can withstand radical honesty and change.
Chapter 7: Bird-Watching for Coaches
How can you sit alongside someone and observe their world, beliefs and behaviours with curiosity, respect and wonder?
Chapter 8: Fearing the Unknown
Exploring our fear of offending through ignorance and finding a way to connect with respect and mutual curiosity.
Part 3: The Pathway to Co-creation
Chapter 9 : Transcending the rules in practice
Putting rule-breaking to work. Your call to draw on your courage to apply your learning and get comfortable with discomfort.
Chapter 10: Getting to the heart of the matter
A new look at beginnings in coaching that will support you to get to the conversation that is needed not presented.
Chapter 11: Following the Thread
A focus on the concept of presence in coaching from the perspective of remaining present to what is happening in the conversation.
Chapter 12: Coaching the Person not the Task
A reminder that getting to know the person and their world is a key element that makes the difference between AI and human coaching. Trusting yourself to work intuitively as a role model for those you work with.
Chapter 13: Listening for What?
This is a focus on listening from a more global perspective, listening to self, listening to the other, and listening for the nuances in the relationship. Where is your attention?
Chapter 14: If you are not evoking awareness you might as well give up
Blasting the myth of the powerful question. You don't need to find the question; the question will find you.
Chapter 15: What if they don't want an action plan?
A challenge to the concept of needing to deliver a well packaged 'to do' list. Touching another human soul doesn't always come with a SMART goal
Chapter 16: Developing Professional & Ethical Maturity
Facing the reality that there are no black and white answers to ethical dilemmas, that's why they are dilemmas. How can you build your confidence muscle to face them?
Chapter 17: The end of the beginning
Thoughts on continuing to develop and grow as a coach
Introduction
Singing the Chorus: Setting the context for the book from a personal perspective
Chapter 1: Why Transcend the Rules?
A personal reflection that brings to life the concept of first and second stage learning and the rationale for becoming one's own version of a coach not following the prescripts of others.
Chapter 2: Why do you coach?
A deeper look at what we are trying to achieve with coaching and an honest reflection for the reader on their motivation for engaging in it. 'Whose needs are we serving?'
Chapter 3: Dropping the Performance
Following on from discoveries about why I coach, this chapter will help coaches move away from the trap of feeling the need to 'add value', to increase their presence and forget about performing. Giving up reaching to be a good coach to become a great one.
Chapter 4: The myth of the objective observer
A chance for the coach to break free from the delusion of being a passive observer in the coaching conversation to draw on their thoughts, feelings and intuitions in service of the client.
Chapter 5: What does this mean for your coaching mindset?
How all of this awareness impacts the coaching relationship and a chance to gather insights for the exploration of partnership. Where are you now?
Part 2: Curious acceptance of difference
Chapter 6: Building a brave space for exploration.
Finding your way to build a trusting partnership that can withstand radical honesty and change.
Chapter 7: Bird-Watching for Coaches
How can you sit alongside someone and observe their world, beliefs and behaviours with curiosity, respect and wonder?
Chapter 8: Fearing the Unknown
Exploring our fear of offending through ignorance and finding a way to connect with respect and mutual curiosity.
Part 3: The Pathway to Co-creation
Chapter 9 : Transcending the rules in practice
Putting rule-breaking to work. Your call to draw on your courage to apply your learning and get comfortable with discomfort.
Chapter 10: Getting to the heart of the matter
A new look at beginnings in coaching that will support you to get to the conversation that is needed not presented.
Chapter 11: Following the Thread
A focus on the concept of presence in coaching from the perspective of remaining present to what is happening in the conversation.
Chapter 12: Coaching the Person not the Task
A reminder that getting to know the person and their world is a key element that makes the difference between AI and human coaching. Trusting yourself to work intuitively as a role model for those you work with.
Chapter 13: Listening for What?
This is a focus on listening from a more global perspective, listening to self, listening to the other, and listening for the nuances in the relationship. Where is your attention?
Chapter 14: If you are not evoking awareness you might as well give up
Blasting the myth of the powerful question. You don't need to find the question; the question will find you.
Chapter 15: What if they don't want an action plan?
A challenge to the concept of needing to deliver a well packaged 'to do' list. Touching another human soul doesn't always come with a SMART goal
Chapter 16: Developing Professional & Ethical Maturity
Facing the reality that there are no black and white answers to ethical dilemmas, that's why they are dilemmas. How can you build your confidence muscle to face them?
Chapter 17: The end of the beginning
Thoughts on continuing to develop and grow as a coach