Psychological Dimensions of Executive Coaching

by Peter Bluckert

What are the critical success factors in effective executive coaching? What are the key competencies of a psychologically-informed coach? What are the similarities and differences between coaching and therapy? This book provides business coaches and management consultants with the framework for a psychological approach to executive coaching. It shows how performance-related issues in the workplace often have a psychological dimension to them and provides the reader with an understanding of how to work in more depth to help people resolve their issues and unlock their potential. It analyzes what constitutes effective coaching, stressing the importance of sound coaching principles, good coaching process, the desirable competencies of the coach, the importance of the coaching relationship and the issue of 'coachability'. It also examines the impact of a stronger psychological approach to coaching, exploring the key psychological competencies required, how to develop them, and the training and supervision issues implicit in this approach.A recurrent theme is the personal development of the coach throughout the coaching process and Peter Bluckert highlights the contribution that the Gestalt perspective offers the coach, through the use of self as instrument of change. Anecdotes, stories and case samples are used throughout the book to illustrate situations so that the reader builds a picture of what psychologically-informed coaching looks like and how to practice ethically, responsibly and competently."Psychological Dimensions to Executive Coaching" provides business and executive coaches, management consultants, human resource specialists, corporate executives/senior managers, health/social workers, occupational psychologists, teachers, psychotherapists and counsellors with the essential information they need to be successful coaches and empower their clients.

Genres: Psychology, Business

173 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Vics · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not much of a page turner, 2nd half much more interesting than the 1st

[Dani Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐ Final Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (4.5/5)

Breakdown:
• ✍️ Clarity & Writing Style: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5.0)
• 📚 Concepts & Theories: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.0)
• 🎯 Practical Application: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (4.5)
• 🧩 Structure & Organisation: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5.0)
• 💡 Insight & Impact: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.0)

Review:
A deeply grounded and highly practical exploration of what effective coaching really looks like within organisations. Bluckert combines psychological understanding with a clear-eyed view of business realities, showing how coaching must go beyond learning and development to create genuine behavioural and performance change.

His discussion around wellbeing and satisfaction as drivers of performance is particularly powerful — blending humanistic values with commercial pragmatism in a way that feels both authentic and actionable. The writing is clear and direct, and the structure makes it easy to revisit key sections, making this a book any practising coach should keep close at hand.

[Iain McCormick · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have read books like Coaching, Plain and Simple, understand the REGROW and OSKAR models, then this book will take you to the next level. It has some great ideas around using a systems approach in coaching and the use of Gestalt. It is a very good read.

[Oisín Hoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

So well written. Essential reading for any coach who has any intention of coaching within organisations

[Ghassan Samaha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting Book and reference for years to come.

[Fabio · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first book in coaching. Clear, well written and engaging.

[Andrew Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this very helpful and thought-provoking. It is in four sections, each of which does just what it's heading says:
1A framework for effective coaching
2 What coaches deal with - common themes and issues
3 The foundations of a psychological approach to coaching
4 Supporting people through change - a Gestalt perspective.

Thoroughly recommended for professional coaches: you won't (and shouldn't) agree with everything Bluckert says - but you should certainly engage with and think about everything he says!

[Kirsty Keddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit academic