BOOK REVIEW: Martin Hill
“Coaching
and Mentoring At Work – Mary Connor and Julia Pokora (2007) Open University
Press, McGraw-Hill Education
I am always sceptical to read the marketing
blurb on the rear of books- especially when they claim to be able to meet the
needs of a myriad of different potential audiences. This book is described as
“essential reading for coaches, mentors, clients, managers, leaders,
professionals, HR specialists, trainers, consultants and students.” I am
delighted to say that I think that this claim is entirely justified. It is
relevant for experienced practitioners and also provides a great framework for
new practitioners and students.
The book is written in an accessible, easy to
understand style and is crammed full with practical examples and tips. The
authors even reserve a chapter for one of the key characters in any coaching or
mentoring relationship – the client. This is one of the few coaching and
mentoring texts that address the position of the client and sets out the
factors that clients should bear in mind when deciding whether to embark upon
coaching or mentoring and suggests how best to prepare themselves to get the
best out of that experience, as well as highlighting some of the standards and
behaviours that they should be expecting from a coach or mentor- a useful
chapter for the practitioner to reflect upon their own practice to ensure that
they are meeting these expectations and standards.
The book considers the similarities between
coaching and mentoring and one of the key arguments of the authors is that “a
learning relationship is central to both coaching and mentoring, which are more
than just a set of activities or skills.” It also highlights the differences
between the two disciplines, albeit the majority of the book focuses on the
common elements.
The structure of the book prompts reflection
and learning opportunities for the reader- reinforcing the reflective learning
discipline that is a prerequisite for the wise practitioner! I found the
chapter on contracting to be a practical and comprehensive guide which
addresses the key factors that one encounters in reality – a book that
addresses the practitioner elements as well as the subject theory.
The main model that is advocated by the
authors for both coaching and mentoring is Dr Gerard Egan’s Skilled Helper”
model-once again the authors approach this with a winning combination of theory
and practical application. Two chapters show how the model would apply to a
coaching scenario and a mentoring scenario. The authors also highlight other
models commonly encountered in coaching and mentoring.
The authors also provide a comprehensive
guide to tools and techniques that will support the successful implementation
of the model – twelve tools and techniques that are succinctly described and
the pros and cons considered.
This book will be one of the “default” texts
that I turn to in my coaching and mentoring practice, and also in my role as
manager and leader. It will be one of the texts that I will recommend for my
ILM Level 7 candidates as a good “foundation” text.
Martin
Hill LL.B (Hons), FInstLM, AMAC, EMCC Member
Faculty
Member
Programme
Director for ILM 7 Coaching & Mentoring Courses
British
School of Coaching
UK
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