Art of Dialogue in Coaching

Reinhard Stelter, PhD, is a professor of coaching psychology and head of the Coaching Psychology Unit at NEXS, University of Copenhagen, and visiting professor at Copenhagen Business School, Denmark. He is honorary vice president and Associate Fellow of the International Society of Coaching Psychology, and a coaching practitioner, researcher, lecturer, workshop leader and facilitator in private practice.

"Reinhard Stelter has lead the way in thinking about coaching as a humanistic developmental methodology. This book crystallises his latest thinking and will be invaluable to coaches, consultants and everyone who has an interest in developmental approaches to coaching. A must read." - Professor Anthony M. Grant, Director, Coaching Psychology Unit, University of Sydney, Australia"As the world becomes more complex and the pace of our lives accelerates, deep personal reflection and social connection become ever more essential. Reinhard’s enlightening book lays out a path to connect both elements in a rich, shared dialogue. Those who embrace this approach will begin a profoundly transformational journey." - David B. Peterson, PhD; Director, Center of Expertise, Executive Coaching & Leadership Development, Google, Inc."This is a lovely, readable, and important book. Professor Stelter’s command of the thought of thinkers such as Buber, Gendlin, and Kierkegaard is exemplary as is his synthesis of philosophical and psychological theory with the field of coaching practice. He is mindful of the chaotic social and cultural context in which we live and brings to it a deeply humanistic and insightful perspective on how meaningful dialogue can help those who are coached. Dialogue, he argues, can help people find grounding within themselves even as they deal with the flux and demands that surround them. This book will be appreciated by anyone who wants to better understand the art and practice of conversation." - Steen Halling, Professor Emeritus of Psychology, Seattle University, USA; author of Intimacy, Transcendence, and Psychology"This book is a compelling argument for the type of coaching that needs to respond to the disturbing dynamics of the industrialised world. Although I hope that some strands of coaching or some individual coaches are already working with this level of challenge, Reinhard Stelter’s proposition crystallises their intentions into a coherent approach. This deeply thoughtful and passionate book is essential for coaching education and important for all professionals who wish coaching to be a tangible contribution to the state of the world." - Professor Tatiana Bachkirova, Director of the International Centre for Coaching and Mentoring Studies, Oxford Brookes University, UK"Overall, Stelter’s book is a useful tool for sports coaches who want to improve their dialogue skills by engaging in more meaningful dialogues with athletes and fellow coaches." - Anne Tjønndal, Nord University, Norway.

• PrefaceAcknowledgmentsPart One: Theoretical BasisChapter 1 Third-generation coaching as sustainable, fruitful dialogue: Key navigation pointsChapter 2 The societal context: the emergence of the achievement-subject and the burnout society Chapter 3 Searching for one’s own self – identity as one of the key challenges of our time Part Two: Basic Themes of Fruitful DialoguesChapter 4 Meaning-making in dialogueChapter 5 Values – a basis for action Chapter 6 The narrative perspective: transformation through sharing Part Three: Reflections on dialogue practiceChapter 7 Enhancing attention Chapter 8 The narrative-co-creative practiceChapter 9 The foundation of dialogue and the dialogue guide’s virtues Chapter 10 Dialogue practices Concluding reflectionsReferences Index of namesIndex