Book review: The Master Coach
The Master Coach: Leading with Character, Building Connections, and Engaging in Extraordinary Conversations, by Gregg Thompson is a great read. While I am not that far removed from the business world to be unaware of the term, “coaching,” I have not purposefully participated in the process. At least I didn’t think so until I read the book!
Gregg Thompson writes a clear manual on how to engage in the art of coaching. Anyone can be a coach, even pastors! In fact, if we are in any relationships at all, we probably have given or received coaching. The book shows what is going on behind the scenes of many relationships we already have.
While not a Christian book per se, the contents certainly are saturated in ethics, truth, authenticity, noble intentions, appreciation and accountability. All of these traits should be involved in any pastoral or Christian relationship and not simply limited to the secular business world.
I was initially concerned with the goal of the book because I don’t have a desire to become a master coach. That concern was easily removed as the book unfolded. If we are involved with people, we will coach. And, if we are going to coach, then we should learn how to do it well. The book is a perfect manual for this goal.
Consider this sentence and see if it should not apply to any business, church or ministry:
“A master coach is a catalyst for sustained personal change in individuals that in turn will tangibly impact the organizations in which they work and communities in which they live.”
Who does not want that? If we are not involved in helping others grow and change, we should probably consider a different line of work. Or, how about this quote:
“Coaching is an attitude and a commitment to having a positive influence on the lives of others.”
When I consider the job description of a pastor, elder, leader or manager at any level, this must be our goal. We need help in learning how to have a positive influence on others. This book is great at stimulating such thoughts.
Most of us struggle with relationships on some level and often it is related to the irritations caused by those other people. Think about this sentence the next time those people’s quirks begin to bother you:
“In order to deliberately seek out others’ highest potential, the great coach intentionally overlooks their shortcomings and limitations.”
As I said, we all need help in growing!
The book is populated with great quotes that should cause us to pause and reflect deeply:
• “What occupies the biggest real estate in your mental space? Does it serve you well?”
• “Courage is doing the unpopular when you know it is the right thing to do.”
• “Fundamental Attribution Error—we generally attribute our own behavior to situational influences but tend to blame the actions of others on character.”
• “Other people cannot make us feel happy or sad; they just give us information.”
There are of course many more, but these should give a flavor of the insight provided. Our lives matter to many, and we all have a great deal to share with others. Even our failures are of value if it helps someone not repeat them.
In addition to the excellent chapters, the book is populated with checklists that I found very helpful:
• Top 10 Coaching Mistakes
• 7 Steps Leaders Can Take
• Top 10 Qualities of Great Coaches
• The 60 Big Coaching Questions
There were many others, and just these lists would make the book worth reading.
Gregg Thompson has written an excellent book that might live up to the quote on the front cover by Marshall Goldsmith — “The Master Coach could well become the definitive book on creating a coaching culture.”
I highly recommend this book to anyone that wants to learn how to become a positive influence in the lives of others. In other words, everyone!
 | Dr. Jeff Klick serves as the senior pastor of Hope Family Fellowship, an age-integrated church he planted in 1993. In addition, he is an instructor with The Institute of Church Management and is on the board of The Council for Gospel Legacy Churches. Learn More » |
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