Review of "Creating a Coaching" by Peter Hawkins

The concept of a coaching culture existing within an organisation has become a hot topic in recent years as the suppliers and buyers of coaching seek to move beyond the historical 1 to 1 coaching format and explore how coaching can impact the many as opposed to the select few.   However much of the discussion I have seen on coaching culture has lacked research and practical case studies and hence it has begun to take on the characteristics of other Holy Grails within organisational development that have come with great fanfare and gone with an embarrassed silence.   Peter Hawkins has taken the concept on in this book (Creating a Coaching Culture)and, through a combination of a well-structured framework, numerous case studies and his usually high standards of research and practical experience, has given CEOs, HR Directors and external coaches lots of practical ideas and models about creating a culture of open and honest dialogue within teams, functions and organisations and beyond to customers and stakeholders.   I personally really enjoyed the excellent deconstruction in the final chapter of coaching culture down to its rawest and most meaningful form  - that of better quality dialogue in day to day situations, be it in team meetings, performance reviews or in the corridor. My corporate clients will see more tangible value in the idea of better dialogue than they will in a something called coaching culture.   The book is an easy read and very engaging and has challenged me as an external coach to add more value to my corporate customers. I will be sharing the book with clients as they look to move beyond coaching being often one off engagements. I will also be recommending it to participants on the postgraduate programme on executive coaching that I lecture on as the best discussion and analysis of what coaching culture is and can be out there so far.   I finished the book feeling excited about the possibilities of coaching in organisations. Peter Hawkins has moved the discussion on coaching cultures from one of aspiration to one of possibility.