An Introduction to Coaching Skills

Reviews / Votes

The first edition of An Introduction to Coaching Skills was of tremendous value to the coaching profession as well as a broad array of teachers and consultants. It received high praise from luminary practitioners and scholars alike. Seldom does a book appear that offers such useful advice, practical guidelines, video and written illustrations, and scholarly grounding. Importantly, this second edition is even better. Nieuwerburgh has capitalized on the feedback and personal learning that have occurred since the first edition and has produced an incredibly useful and valuable resource. It is a volume that every coach should have in his or her library. -- Kim Cameron This is an unusual introductory book in combining text with video. As such it enables the reader to fully engage with the ideas and try out the material in their own practice.


It can certainly be recommended as an introductory text and it fulfils its brief well. I will use it in my own teaching. -- Professor David Lane Christian again provides both experienced and novice coaches with an art-and-science of coaching gem. In addition to a deceptively thorough and jargon-free history of coaching theory he skilfully describes each step on the pathway to becoming an effective and authentic coach. Each signpost on the journey facilitates a seamless flow of information from basic to more advanced skills, and the content is richly augmented by his characteristic and innovative use of video, activity, stories, and applications. This is an excellent resource for both educator and practitioner. -- Sandy Gordon Christian van Nieuwerburgh is a world authority in coaching and is leading the intersection between coaching and positive psychology. His book offers the perfect balance of science and practice. The evidence-based tools, strategies and resources will help you excel as a coach so you can help your clients excel in their endeavours. -- Professor Lea Waters An inspiring, creative and empowering book about coaching that is as valuable to the novice as it is to the experienced coach. Christian resourcefully draws on and demonstrates coaching skills, connects with the reader and their personal learning journey, and links back, in a stimulating way, to theory, research, coaching culture and the rich connections between coaching, living and what it is to be human. The companion website includes over 70 video clips, including full length coaching conversations. -- Professor Mary Watts Finally a text that encapsulates theory, application, ethics, supervision, anecdotal examples, visual demonstrations and concepts such as "the way of being" that are often intangible. This text is a must for all students studying in the the area of coaching and counselling- a one stop shop. For many years teaching coaching and counselling in higher education we have suggested recommended, but not essential texts, as each book often acts as a silo to one piece of critical learning in the area. Van Nieuwerburgh second edition will become our prescribed text, a foundation to advance university learnings. -- Dr Suzanne Vidler Writing a book on the foundation of coaching is not an easy task. The author needs to strike the right balance between accessibility and the increasing complexity that is emerging from this developing discipline. Only when this is achieved can such a book be suitable for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. Such a balance has been struck in this second edition even more precisely than in the first. A great text to recommend to those entering into coaching. -- Professor Tatiana Bachkirova Not only did the combination of reading a chapter, followed by watching the video content on it, help to clarify and embed the information, it gave the feeling of being on one of van Nieuwerburgh's sought-after courses, which makes this book great value for money, and a valuable resource, particularly for new coaches. -- Sally Brown