Title: Positive Psychology Coaching
Author: Susanne Knowles
Publisher: XlibrisAU
ISBN: 9781984501943
Genre: Education/Business
Pages: 344
Reviewed by: Barbara Bamberger Scott
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An experienced organizational coach and founder of the Australian Institute of Professional Coaches (AIPC) Susanne Knowles presents an intelligent overview of coaching, designed with potential practitioners as a target readership.

Coaching in the world of business and organizational development started in the 1970s, and is now a recognized strategy for assisting individuals and groups. Its aim is selfempowerment and transformational change across numerous realms of work and personal experience. Knowles offers the AIPC definition of coaching—“a supportive and encouraging process…” leading to creative, self-determined solutions. Tracing the historical development of significant streams of psychology, Knowles notes that coaching differs from most methods of counseling because it focuses on the present and future rather than examining the past. Specific areas of coaching currently include Life, Business, Career Transition, Leadership, and Executive.

One admirable aspect of Knowles’ book is that she invites the reader or prospective coach to design his or her own strategies, including some needed forms—welcome letter, feedback sheet, client details, and the like—instead of presenting pre-made templates. This methodology allows the reader to participate in the self-motivational aspect of being coached. Knowles explores the coaching process in great detail, and advises following the AIPC steps: Critical issue, Opportunities, Actionable goals, Commitment, Hold Accountable. She states that the coach can determine when a client is truly ready for change by assessing the importance that change holds for that individual, and their level of selfefficacy—the ability to make the needed change.

While much of this highly practical manual focuses on psychological factors and direct coaching techniques, there are also useful guidelines for locating a client base and convincing organizations of the usefulness both motivational and financial, in accessing the services of a coach. Knowles analyzes management styles and leadership strategies which a coach will need to grasp in order to reach out convincingly to new clients.

Knowles is clearly an example of her own philosophy as she guides prospective coaches through various stages of coaching to promote their clear understanding of what is required. Her book is extremely well organized, underpinned with salient examples from a number of disciplines and a lengthy list of references. Her work in the field of coaching should be studied by anyone interested in that career, as well as by students of psychology, business management and personal growth strategies.