Whitmore, John, 2002.

Coaching for Performance – Growing People, Performance and Purpose.

Boston: Nicholas Brealey.

Overarching coaching book from effective questions to team basics.

Whitworth, Laura, Henry Kimsey-House & Phil Sandahl, 1998, New Edition 2007

Co-Active Coaching.

New skills for Coaching People towards Success In Work and Life.

Palo Alto: Davies-Black.

My professional foundation lies in the co-active coaching created by these writers. Henry and Phil have been my teachers and I’ve attended Laura’s lectures, too. This is a “must” for all aspiring coaches.

Individual Coaching: Life Purpose & Personal Development

Author

Title

Comments

Adrienne, Carol, 1998.

The Purpose of Your Life. Finding Your Place In the World Using Synchronistic Intuition, and Uncommon Sense.

New York: Eagle Brook.

The journey is to learn to trust. In your inner knowing. Powerful examples and guidance.

Allen, David, 2003.

Getting Things Done. The Art of Stress-Free Productivity.

New York: Penguin Books.

Get organized, follow up and act! “What’s your next action?”

Allen, David, 2003.

Ready for Anything. 52 Productivity Principles for Work and Life.

New York: Penguin Books.

You CAN do it! Collect, process, organize, review, DO (=make choices about your actions)!

Brown, Byron, 1999.  

Soul without Shame. A Guide to Liberating Yourself from the Judge within.

Boston: Shambala.

Hard core soul-work. So crucial for everyone who feels the baggage of “not being enough”. A book I will read again and again.

Byron, Katie, 2003

Loving What Is: Four Questions That Can Change Your Life.

Three Rivers Press

Look into yourself……what do you feel,  turn it around…

.

Campbell, Susan, 2001.

Getting Real: Ten Truth Skills You Need to Live an Authentic Life.

Novato: New World Library

Excellent writing --- Susan is sincere and to the point. I’ve had an opportunity to attend her teleclasses and found her very wise. I’ve enjoyed her Get real card game, too.

Carson, Richard D., 2003.

Taming Your Gremlin: a Surprisingly Simple Method for Getting Out of Your Own Way. (Revised Edition). New York: Harper Collins Publishers Inc.

Compulsory reading for all co-active coaches and for a good reason. Deals with the inner judge that spoils our enjoyment of life. Highly recommended to everyone!

Gelb, Michael J., 2002.

Discover Your Genius  - How to Think Like History’s Ten Most Revolutionary Minds.

New York: HarperCollins Publishers Inc.

Michael was the keynote speaker at an ICF conference in Stresa Italy 2003 – besides an author, he is a great juggler.

Hendricks, Gay, 2000.

Conscious Living. Finding Joy in the Real World.

New York: HarperCollins Publishers Inc.

Get in touch with your true values. This book opened up a practical way of working with Big ”A” Agenda and life goals. Hendricks calls them “deathbed goals”.

Hicks, Esther & Jerry, 2004.

Ask and It Is Given – Learning to Manifest Your Desires.

Carlsbad, California: Hay House.

Practical help in living the life you want.

Housden, Roger, 2005

Seven Sins for a Life Worth Living.

Harmony.

A life story. Human.

Jampolsky, Gerald G., 1979. 

Love Is Letting Go of Fear.

Berkley: Celestial Arts.

A great book about how to let go of fear.

Lerner, Harriet, 2001.

The Dance of Connection. How to Talk to Someone When You’re Mad, Hurt, Scared, Frustrated, Insulted, Betrayed, or Desperate.

New York: HarperCollins.

Relationship basics – when you struggle how to say it.

Lerner, Harriet, 2004.

Fear and Other Uninvited Guests – Tackling the Anxiety, Fear, and Shame That Keeps Us from Optimal Living and Loving.

New York: HarperCollins.

Fear keeps us from living out full potential find out what is yours and become more courageous!

McGraw, Phillip C., 2000.

The Life Strategies workbook. Exercises and Self-Tests to Help You Change Your Life.

New York: Hyperion.

Great source of exercises.

McGraw, Phillip C., 2001.

Self Matters. Creating Your Life from the Inside Out.

New York: Simon & Schuster.

Tough love from Dr Phil. Ask: “what if…?”

Millman, Dan,  1993.

The Life You Were Born to Live.

Tiburon: HJ Kramer Inc.

Dan Millman’s insightful book has opened up the true essence of people to me. I’ve seen powerful transformations happen when people have studied the life’s higher purpose through this book. I’ve met Dan in a workshop and I respect his integrity and wisdom.

Millman, Dan, 2000.

Living on Purpose.

Novato: New World Library.

A handy, easy-read tool.

Richardson, Cheryl, 2002.

Stand up for Your Life.

New York: The Free Press.

Out of knowing your values grows our truest self and inner confidence.

Robbins, Anthony, 1986.

Unlimited Power.

London: Simon & Schuster.

Inspiration between covers.

Rusdorf, Rich & The Courageous Way Group, 2006.

Freedom to Be.

self published.

Be free to be you. Be courageous to be you. Get this through the www.thecourageousway.com  website.

Sher, Barbara, & Annie Gottlieb, 2003

Wishcraft - How to Get What You Really Want. A Unique, Step-By-Step Plan to Pinpoint Your Goals and Make Your Dreams Come True.

New York: Ballantine Books.

Step to a better, improved life.

Sher, Barbara, 1995

I Could Do Anything If I Only Knew What It Was: How to Discover What You Really Want and How to Get It.

Dell.

Go for it!

Sinetar, Marsha, 1988.

Elegant Choices, Healing Choices.

Mahwah, New Jersye: Paulist Press.

One of my certification books. Great on self actualization -just like her other books; Do what you love, money will follow or To build the life you want, create the work you love.

Tice, Louis E., 1989.

A Better World, a Better You. The proven Lou Tice “Investment in Excellence” Program.

Englewood: Prentice Hall.

A long time favorite.  The Excellence program is still up and running.

Tolle, Eckhart, 1999.

The Power of NOW. A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment.

Novato: New World Library.

Being, rather than doing brings the contentment. Easier said than done.

Zander Stone, Rosamund and Benjamin Zander, 2000.

The Art of Possibility. Transforming Professional and Personal Life.

New York: Penguin Books.

An inspirational but practical book that made me think of ways to encourage and support the best in myself and others.

Teams

Author

Title

Comments

Beaudoin, Marie-Nathalie & Sue Walden, 1998.

Working with Groups to Enhance Relationships – 46 Interactive Exercises to Build Communication, Encourage Cooperation, Rekindle Companionship.

Duluth: Whole Person Associates Inc.

As an improve performer, Sue is an incredible trainer – I had an honor to be a co-developer in a Freedom to be training program with Sue in the Courageous Way Group.

Buckingham, Marcus, 2007.

Go Put Your Strengths to Work

6 Powerful Steps to Achieve Outstanding Performance.

New York: The Free Press.

A practical follow on to his previous book. I met Marcus in March 2007 in Seattle - he is phenomenal presenter and a very personable guy with a strong message about strengths.

Buckingham, Marcus & Donald Clifton, 2001.

Now, Discover Your Strengths.

New York: The Free Press.

Seminal work for the strength-based movement. Based on major research by Gallup.

Johnson, David W. & Frank P. Johnson, 2002.

Joining Together - Group Theory and Group Skills.

Allyn & Bacon

Katzenbach R. Jon & Douglas K. Smith, 2004.

The Discipline of Teams.

Harvard Business Review on Teams That Succeed.

This article is in a book that – as a whole - is a great collection of research articles studying team dynamics. 

Katzenbach, Jon & Douglas Smith, 1993.

The Wisdom of Teams. Creating the High-Performance Organization.

New York: Harper Collins.

Any leader who is serious about team effectiveness must read this book. Full of research-backed insights with interesting case studies.

Lencioni, Patrick, 2002.

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team.

San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Trust, conflict commitment, accountability and attention to results – these are the key to a team’s success. If you haven’t read it – read it now.

Communication and Conflict Resolution

Author

Title

Comments

Allen, Roger E. & Stephen D. Allen, 1995.  

Winnie-the Pooh on Problem Solving – In Which Pooh, Piglet and Friends Explore How to Solve Problems so You Can Too.

New York: Penguin Books.

If you are a Pooh fan, this is a simple way of looking at the complexities of life.

Fisher, Roger & William Ury, 1986.

Getting to Yes – Negotiating Agreement without Giving in.

New York: Penguin Books.

The most basic research on win-win negotiations. Studied this first when I was a student at the University in Jyväskylä! Old but still appropriate.

Leritz, Len, 1991.

No Fault Negotiating – How to Make Deals so both Sides Win!

Wellingborogh: Thorsons Publishers Ltd.

Create a safe environment, shift your focus, understand – don’t beat them, attend to the obvious. Superb checklist for negotiating blocks in the appendix.

Miller, John, 2001.  

Qbq! The Question Behind the Question – What to Really Ask Yourself. Practicing Personal Accountability in Business and in Life.

Denver: Denver Press.

An excellent small book on the art of asking the right questions.

Rosenberg, Marshall B., 2002.

Non-Violent Communication. A Language of Compassion. Improve the Quality of Your Personal and Professional Relationships.

Encinitas: PuddleDancer.

Compassionate communication explained. Know your feelings and needs, be clear about your requests. Know what blocks compassion. Practice!

Intuition, Neuro-science and Emotions

Author

Title

Comments

Berns, Gregory, 2005.

Satisfaction - The Science of Finding True Fulfillment.

New York: Henry Holt

A medical doctor’s account about how human’s experience satisfaction is all various ways.

Doidge, Norman, 2007.

The Brain That Changes Itself- Stories of Personal Triumph from Frontiers of Brain Science.

New York: Viking. Penguin Group.

Absolutely fascinating reading on brains’ plasticity and neuroscience. What’s going on when we are attracted? How can we learn by visualization?

Day, Laura, 1998

Practical Intuition.

Random House Value Publishing.

It is a coaching skill to trust and use your intuition.

Damasio, Antonio, 1994.

Descartes’ Error. Emotion, Reason and the Human Brain.

New York: Avon Books.

A classic on how emotions impact relationships.

Edwards, Gill,

1991.

Living Magically. New Vision of Reality.

London: Judy Piatkus.

While living in Finland, some 15 years ago, I found a renewed joy in life through Gill Edwards’ books.

Edwards, Gill, 1993.

Stepping into the Magic.

London: Judy Piatkus.

Get into it and find the magic within you.

Goleman, Daniel, 1996.

Emotional Intelligence – Why It Can Matter More Than IQ.

London: Bantam Books.

A classic. The foundational book on emotional intelligence. He’s also written about social intelligence.

Peirce, Penney, 1997.

The Intuitive Way. A guide to living from inner wisdom.

Hillsboro: Beyond Words.

Trust your intuition.

Roman, Sanaya, 1986.

Personal Power through Awareness.

Tiburon: HJ Kramer.

One of my first books into the world of metaphysics and mysticism.

Gladwell, Malcom, 2002.

The Tipping Point. How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference.

Little, Brown and Company.

When do you make the decision? What really impacts your point of choice? When you do know when something is right or wrong?

Another books by Gladwell: Blink- just read it!

Wegela, Karen Kissel, 1996.

How to Be a Help Instead of a Nuisance.

Boston: Shambhala.

A compassionate client of mine who “takes care “ of others needs while stepping on her own has found it truly a helpful guide.

Leadership

Author

Title

Comments

Arbinger Institute, 2002.  

Leadership and Self Deception. Getting Out of the Box.

San Francisco: Berrett-Kohler Publishers.

A great story intertwined with great learnings about human nature and follies and leadership. No leader should go without reading this book.

Cairncross, Frances, 2002.

The Company of the Future – How the Communications Revolution Is Changing Management.

Boston: Harvard Business School Publishing Corp.

My friend Kaija Pöysti is a friend of Frances and gave me this book. It’s full of insights that fit well with my views of the corporate world.

Campbell, Susan M., 1995.

From Chaos to Confidence – Survival Strategies for the New Workplace.

New York: Fireside.

Susan is a great writer about what is REALLY going on in our relationships.

Gostick, Adrian & Chester Elton, 2007.

The Carrot Principle – How the Best Managers Use Recognition to Engage Their People, Retain Talent, Accelerate Performance.

New York: The Free press.

People are not motivated just by money. Find out ingenious ways people can be acknowledged. I met Chester at an event in Seattle and was impressed with his dynamic presentation.

Herbold, Robert J., 2005.

The Fiefdom Syndrome – the Turf Battles That Undermine Careers and Companies – and How to Overcome Them.

Doubleday.

Herbold was a chief counsel for Microsoft for years and this is an interesting perspective to what is really going on in the major corporations and what needs to happen.

Editors: Hämäläinen Raimo P. & Esa Saarinen, 2004.

Systems Intelligence – Discovering a Hidden Competence in Human Action and Organizational Life.

Helsinki: Helsinki University of Technology.

A gem! A powerful collection of research articles to systems approach- or even more: systems intelligence!

Editors: Hämäläinen Raimo P. & Esa Saarinen, 2004.

Systeemiäly 2006.

Helsinki: Helsinki University of Technology.

Read about it in Finnish and be amazed, impressed and stunned. I’m Esa Saarinen fan forever!

Jaworski, Joseph, 1996.

Synchronicity. The Inner Path of Leadership.

Berrett-Koehler Publishers.

A fascinating inside glimpse into world politics/private and universal lives through Jaworski’s story.

McKenna, D. Douglas & Jeffrey J. Mc Henry,

1994.

Positive Politics at Work.

USA: Richard D. Irwin, Inc.

Just an interesting approach to corporate settings.

Nolan, Vincent, 1991. 

The Innovator’s Handbook – Problem Solving, Communication and Teamwork.

London: Sphere Books Ltd.

The fantastic Synectics method! This NEVER grows old. It’s is proven and powerful- I love it.

Pine II, B. Joseph & James H. Gilmore, 1999.

The Experience Economy – Work Is Theatre & Every Business a Stage.

Boston: Harvard Business School Press.

Read this and you’ll be informed where our life is heading… Are you in experience or transformation business?

Quinn, Robert E., Sue R. Faerman, Michael P. Thompson, Michael R. McGrath, 2003

Becoming a Master Manager – a Competency Framework.

Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons.

The best book on management and leadership out there. Hands down. If you are gong to read just one book, read this.

Ropo, Arja, Marja Eriksson, Erika Sauer, Hanna Lehtimäki, Heidi Keso, Tarja Pietiläinen & Niina Koivunen, 2005.

Jaetun johtajuuden särmät.

Helsinki: Talentum.

A must read for all Finns. I know the writers – they are the thought leaders for shared leadership.

Senge, Peter M. 1994.

The Fifth Discipline Fieldbook - Strategies and Tools for Building a Learning Organization.

New York: Currency Book.

Tools for personal mastery. A must have (and almost 600 pages)

Senge, Peter M., 1990

The Fifth Discipline – the Art and Practice of the Learning Organization.

New York: Currency Book.

The foundational book on system based-thinking for leaders.

Senge, Peter

C. Otto Scharmer, Joseph Jaworski & Betty Sue Flowers, 2004.

Presence. An Exploration.

New York: Currency Book.

I met Peter in 2006 and was very impressed with his message and humility.

Thach, E., 2002

The impact of executive coaching and 360 feedback on leadership effectivness. Leadership & Organization Developmen Journal, 23.