
An Introduction to Coaching Skills
A Practical Guide
Christian van Nieuwerburgh(Author)
SAGE Publications Ltd (Publisher)
4th Edition
Published on 6. November 2025
Book
Hardback
248 pages
978-1-5296-8245-8 (ISBN)
Description
This bestselling book introduces you step-by-step to the key skills needed to become a successful coach. Focusing on the main coaching skills of listening, asking powerful questions, playing back and noticing, this practical book supports you to become more self-aware and confident as you support others to learn, grow and develop. Supported by a suite of video examples and practical activities, this book is an invaluable companion for novices and trainee coaches.
Now in its fourth edition, this book is more aligned to the competencies of the leading professional associations of coaching and has been revised and updated to take into account developments in the field.
New to Fourth Edition:
New learning features, including "What the professional associations say", "Reflect on your practice", and "A question for you"
New suite of 30 online video examples displaying a range of key coaching skills in action
New chapter on "coaching in context" on the implications of coaching in different contexts, such as education and health settings
Increased focus on online coaching
Now in its fourth edition, this book is more aligned to the competencies of the leading professional associations of coaching and has been revised and updated to take into account developments in the field.
New to Fourth Edition:
New learning features, including "What the professional associations say", "Reflect on your practice", and "A question for you"
New suite of 30 online video examples displaying a range of key coaching skills in action
New chapter on "coaching in context" on the implications of coaching in different contexts, such as education and health settings
Increased focus on online coaching
More details
Edition
4th Revised edition
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Edition type
Revised edition
Dimensions
Height: 252 mm
Width: 194 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
691 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-5296-8245-8 (9781529682458)
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

Book
11/2025
4th Edition
SAGE Publications Ltd
€113.80
Shipment within 3-4 weeks

E-Book
10/2025
4th Edition
Sage Publications Ltd (Digital)
€96.99
Available for download

E-Book
10/2025
4th Edition
Sage Publications Ltd (Digital)
€96.99
Available for download
Previous edition

Book
10/2020
3rd Edition
SAGE Publications Ltd
€166.38
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Person
Christian van Nieuwerburgh is Professor of Coaching and Positive Psychology at the Centre for Positive Health Sciences at RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences (Ireland) and Strategic Partner of the Instructional Coaching Group, a global provider of coach training and consultancy for the education sector. In recognition of his contributions to the fields of coaching and positive psychology, he is Principal Fellow of the Centre for Wellbeing Science at the Melbourne Graduate School of Education, University of Melbourne (Australia). Christian is a certified executive coach and has authored, co-authored, and edited numerous books and publications on coaching and positive psychology. His best-known books include An Introduction to Coaching Skills: A Practical Guide and Radical Listening: The Art of True Connection. Christian regularly speaks internationally on the topics of coaching, positive psychology, and well-being.
Content
Part I: Context
Chapter 1: First Things First
Chapter 2: Becoming a Coach
Part II: Coaching Skills
Chapter 3: Noticing
Chapter 4: Listening to Encourage Thinking
Chapter 5: Playing Back
Chapter 6: Asking Powerful Questions
Part III: Coaching Process
Chapter 7: Conversational Frameworks
Chapter 8: Ways of Thinking
Chapter 9: Positive Bias
Part IV: Tools and Techniques
Chapter 10: Body Language and Emotional Intelligence
Chapter 11: Inspiring Creativity
Part V: Coaching Way of Being
Chapter 12: Being Human
Chapter 13: Inspiring Others
Part VI: Next Steps
Chapter 14: Coaching in Context
Chapter 15: Reflecting on Practice
Chapter 1: First Things First
Chapter 2: Becoming a Coach
Part II: Coaching Skills
Chapter 3: Noticing
Chapter 4: Listening to Encourage Thinking
Chapter 5: Playing Back
Chapter 6: Asking Powerful Questions
Part III: Coaching Process
Chapter 7: Conversational Frameworks
Chapter 8: Ways of Thinking
Chapter 9: Positive Bias
Part IV: Tools and Techniques
Chapter 10: Body Language and Emotional Intelligence
Chapter 11: Inspiring Creativity
Part V: Coaching Way of Being
Chapter 12: Being Human
Chapter 13: Inspiring Others
Part VI: Next Steps
Chapter 14: Coaching in Context
Chapter 15: Reflecting on Practice