The Theory and Practice of Relational Coaching

"This is the most rigorous introduction to relational coaching to date. The entire field is placed in a historical and psychological perspective, with sound referencing to all the relevant sources. Not only is this the best handbook you will find, reading the philosophy and case studies will allow you to pick up and implement in your own practice the subtle differences between traditional and relational approaches. This book is all about attending to coaching, the relationship and your client as they appear in the moment, rather than attending to some pre-set idea about what coaching should be. In this sense there is a freshness and depth permeating from every page. Mostly, this relational turn towards your own fresh lived experience will be a priceless reward that you reap from reading this exceptional book. Underpinning all this you are invited into a series of wonderfully crafted case examples, from which I personally learned huge amounts." - Erik de Haan, Director of Ashridge Centre for Coaching, UK and Professor of Organisation Development, VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands

"This book offers an overdue corrective to the cause-and-effect assumptions that govern many organisations with respect to what it means to lead and the support that managers need. Instead of tools and processes, Simon Cavicchia and Maria Gilbert offer a rich description – supported by rigorous intellectual foundations – of the dynamics of an effective coaching relationship. This is not a manual for the coach doing the coaching to the coachee. It’s a manifesto for coach and coachee co-creating the meaning of their work, taking into account the complex and often contradictory influences that bear on them. It is a book that brings into the conversation the dynamics of power and politics that shape working life, challenging the notion that these can be bracketed out in the name of neutrality. It helps coaches navigate the tricky path between serving the organisation that pays the bill and the needs of an individual coachee. The relational approach is not simply about establishing a close and mutually respectful relationship. It’s an acknowledgement that what the coach and coachee have to do only ever emerges from the specificities of the relationship between them and the context in which they work. Put aside pre-conceived recipes, the authors say, and connect with the person before you." - Martin Vogel, co-founder, The Counter-Consultancy

"The Theory and Practice of Relational Coaching: Complexity, Paradox and Integration is nothing less than a tour de force. Simon Cavicchia’s unique blend of eloquence, erudition and warmth combines with Maria Gilbert’s decades of experience as a consummate educator to create an exceptional book. It takes the reader on a rich journey, starting with scene setting and philosophy. It covers the main theories which underpin an integrative relational approach and describes in detail all aspects of a here and now relational encounter. After a deep dive into ‘the micro dynamics of relational interaction’ the authors then gently move outwards to the subtleties and forces of the organisational context. Quite simply, this book says everything about relational coaching, its theories and practice. The authors critique and integrate an extraordinary depth and breadth of theories from all the psychological traditions. This alone makes the book an education in itself! I recommend it not only for coaches, but for psychotherapists and counselling psychologists who have made ‘the relational turn’."- Charlotte Sills, Professor of Coaching, Ashridge Business School, UK

"Simon Cavicchia and Maria Gilbert draw on their substantial depth of experience and expertise in the fields of executive coaching and psychotherapy to show that these are not separate but essential counter-parts enabling us to strive towards higher levels of performance. This is an essential and timely publication for all serious coaches and business professionals who are struggling to apply the 'rational' linear left brain models of coaching to an increasingly fast moving and complex world. It covers the foundational background to this holistic way of apprehending our changing world enabling one to weave together top-down linear and bottom-up emergent perspectives and manoeuvre deftly between them. I thoroughly recommend this publication for all aspiring to success on the sometimes stormy oceans of complexity." - Syed Azmatullah, MA, PhD; Psychotherapist, Executive Coach, author of The Coach’s Mind Manual

"This is a book for coaches, clients, and anyone interested in the delicate business of human relating. Spanning a range of dimensions gracefully it is profound yet accessible, broad and thorough, with a clear advocacy that leaves me feeling invited to make up my own mind. Simon Cavicchia and Maria Gilbert have managed to offer an in-depth historical overview of different perspectives and to paint a lively picture of the complex and subtle nature of current, integrated approaches. This book is theoretically sound and practical, encouraging and provocative. The case studies are lively and show the messy nature of this work and the difficulty of bringing awareness to the process at all times. Just what we have been waiting for." - Kathleen King, PhD; researcher and co-editor of Organisational Consulting: @ the Edges of Possibility and The Change Doctors: Re-imagining Organisational Practice

"This is the most rigorous introduction to relational coaching to date. The entire field is placed in a historical and psychological perspective, with sound referencing to all the relevant sources. Not only is this the best handbook you will find, reading the philosophy and case studies will allow you to pick up and implement in your own practice the subtle differences between traditional and relational approaches. This book is all about attending to coaching, the relationship and your client as they appear in the moment, rather than attending to some pre-set idea about what coaching should be. In this sense there is a freshness and depth permeating from every page. Mostly, this relational turn towards your own fresh lived experience will be a priceless reward that you reap from reading this exceptional book. Underpinning all this you are invited into a series of wonderfully crafted case examples, from which I personally learned huge amounts." - Erik de Haan, Director of Ashridge Centre for Coaching, UK and Professor of Organisation Development, VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands

"This book offers an overdue corrective to the cause-and-effect assumptions that govern many organisations with respect to what it means to lead and the support that managers need. Instead of tools and processes, Simon Cavicchia and Maria Gilbert offer a rich description – supported by rigorous intellectual foundations – of the dynamics of an effective coaching relationship. This is not a manual for the coach doing the coaching to the coachee. It’s a manifesto for coach and coachee co-creating the meaning of their work, taking into account the complex and often contradictory influences that bear on them. It is a book that brings into the conversation the dynamics of power and politics that shape working life, challenging the notion that these can be bracketed out in the name of neutrality. It helps coaches navigate the tricky path between serving the organisation that pays the bill and the needs of an individual coachee. The relational approach is not simply about establishing a close and mutually respectful relationship. It’s an acknowledgement that what the coach and coachee have to do only ever emerges from the specificities of the relationship between them and the context in which they work. Put aside pre-conceived recipes, the authors say, and connect with the person before you." - Martin Vogel, co-founder, The Counter-Consultancy

"The Theory and Practice of Relational Coaching: Complexity, Paradox and Integration is nothing less than a tour de force. Simon Cavicchia’s unique blend of eloquence, erudition and warmth combines with Maria Gilbert’s decades of experience as a consummate educator to create an exceptional book. It takes the reader on a rich journey, starting with scene setting and philosophy. It covers the main theories which underpin an integrative relational approach and describes in detail all aspects of a here and now relational encounter. After a deep dive into ‘the micro dynamics of relational interaction’ the authors then gently move outwards to the subtleties and forces of the organisational context. Quite simply, this book says everything about relational coaching, its theories and practice. The authors critique and integrate an extraordinary depth and breadth of theories from all the psychological traditions. This alone makes the book an education in itself! I recommend it not only for coaches, but for psychotherapists and counselling psychologists who have made ‘the relational turn’."- Charlotte Sills, Professor of Coaching, Ashridge Business School, UK

"Simon Cavicchia and Maria Gilbert draw on their substantial depth of experience and expertise in the fields of executive coaching and psychotherapy to show that these are not separate but essential counter-parts enabling us to strive towards higher levels of performance. This is an essential and timely publication for all serious coaches and business professionals who are struggling to apply the 'rational' linear left brain models of coaching to an increasingly fast moving and complex world. It covers the foundational background to this holistic way of apprehending our changing world enabling one to weave together top-down linear and bottom-up emergent perspectives and manoeuvre deftly between them. I thoroughly recommend this publication for all aspiring to success on the sometimes stormy oceans of complexity." - Syed Azmatullah, MA, PhD; Psychotherapist, Executive Coach, author of The Coach’s Mind Manual

"This is a book for coaches, clients, and anyone interested in the delicate business of human relating. Spanning a range of dimensions gracefully it is profound yet accessible, broad and thorough, with a clear advocacy that leaves me feeling invited to make up my own mind. Simon Cavicchia and Maria Gilbert have managed to offer an in-depth historical overview of different perspectives and to paint a lively picture of the complex and subtle nature of current, integrated approaches. This book is theoretically sound and practical, encouraging and provocative. The case studies are lively and show the messy nature of this work and the difficulty of bringing awareness to the process at all times. Just what we have been waiting for." - Kathleen King, PhD; researcher and co-editor of Organisational Consulting: @ the Edges of Possibility and The Change Doctors: Re-imagining Organisational Practice