5 Books by Diverse Authors to Bring Out the Best in Your Coaching
5 Books by Diverse Authors to Bring Out the Best in Your Coaching
And why we love these books in particular
As a coach or people leader, you have a direct impact the lives of many people. So we want to help you bring out the best in your coaching and people development.
In this post, we share 5 books by authors with diverse perspectives, that we think will help deepen your understanding of the lived experience of people from many walks of life. Some of these are their own stories, and others are a guide to their life philosophy built through lived experience and research.
No mud, No Lotus by Thích Nhất Hạnh
We are big believers that 'Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional'. Monk, poet, author and peace activist, Thích Nhất Hạnh shares ways to transform suffering into joy. Modern life teaches us to run away from and avoid things that cause us discomfort. We are conditioned to seek out convenience at every turn, in the hope of finding happiness. But the secret is actually to stop running away from suffering, and embrace it.
In this book, you will find meditation practices, breathing exercises, and many more activities that will help you guide your coachees to discover joy in every moment.
What doesn't kill you by Tessa Miller
A touching, but unflinching memoir of the realities of living with chronic disease by journalist and author Tessa Miller. This book is ultimately a story of grit, resilience, and anti-fragility. It opens our eyes to the social and cultural obstacles that people with chronic health conditions and disabilities face in society even today.
The world around us is not very friendly or welcoming of people with health conditions or impairments. As coaches and people leaders, we are in a unique position to change this, and this book is a great resource to gain insight into how we could change this.
Let Go of the Guilt by Valorie Burton
Life coach Valerie Burton helps readers chart a path to a life without false guilt through her insightful dissection of the social pressures faced by women and how it gets in the way of enjoying our successes. While the book is primarily aimed at women, we think that people of all genders can relate to the big theme discussed in the book: the rat race that is the modern life, and how we might rediscover joy through it all.
Try her journalling prompts, and let us know what you think! (Tip: use our template within Medoo)
Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown
Expand your emotional vocabulary with this deeply researched book by one of our favourite authors, Brené Brown. For anyone who struggles to match the rich texture of the human emotional experience with the language we use to express them, this book is for you! Even if you don't struggle, Atlas of the Heart may give your more insight into emotions that you knew you were feeling but couldn't quite pin point.
Particularly for our coaches and people leaders, a nuanced grasp of emotive language can give you additional dimensions to your coaching practice by helping you connect with your coachees on an even deeper level.
Ikigai by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles
The Japanese philosophy of Ikigai is described beautifully and sensitively in this book by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles. There are many ways to interpret the concept of ikigai, which refers to something that gives a person purpose and reason for living. What makes this book great is that the authors place the concept within the context of its origins.
Ikigai helps describe the sense of purpose in a tangible way, it is a great tool to have in your coaching belt. It can support you in helping your coachee find their raison d'être. (Tip: use our template within Medoo)
The power of books
We believe that the knowledge from these 5 books are a great starting point for coaches looking to bring new elements to their practice, as they showcase examples lifelong learning and iterative improvement.
Are there any books that have positively impacted your coaching skills and made you a more effective coach? We'd love to hear about them!