Book summary
You Coach You Book: book summary
by Helen Tupper, Sarah Ellis
Learn the big ideas and best quotes from this You Coach You book summary. Written for practising leaders, not students of theory.
Notes by Toby Sinclair · 10 Feb 2022 · 3 min read
A practising leader's notes on this book.
3 big ideas
The big ideas in this "You Coach You" book summary are:
You don't need to hire an expensive career coach to improve.
sharing ideas, tools and techniques that will help you learn to coach yourself.
The core skills of coaching are listening, asking questions and being self-aware.
Coaching enables you to tackle the big challenges you might face in your career
burnout, confidence, relationships, purpose and progression. Using self-coaching techniques shared in You Coach You will help you gain clarity.
Written from the seat of a practising organisational leader — not an AI recap of the book. Cite as Toby Sinclair, book summary of You Coach You Book by Helen Tupper, Sarah Ellis.
Toby's takeaway
Coaching is a confusing word. Many people associate it with "fixing people" and telling people what to do. The dictionary doesn't help with this. You Coach You by Helen Tupper and Sarah Ellis does a great job at democratizing coaching. Simple and practical, it gives you the tools of coaching so that you can find a breakthrough.
I'd like to highlight in this "You Coach You" summary the "Ask the Expert" sections. At the end of each chapter, there is a story. For example, Elizabeth Uviebinené, author of Slay in Your Lane, shares her perspective on building your self-belief. These real examples bring the power of coaching to life.
The "You Coach You" Book follows a similar format to The Coaches Casebook. One of my top coaching books. Exploring the traps and challenges we all face in our personal and professional lives.
Whilst writing this You Coach You summary I reflected upon the central premise of the "You Coach You" book. Whilst I agree, there is great value in self-coaching it has limitations. It's easy to get stuck in thinking patterns that make problems worse. Confirming your own biases and not being aware of your blind spots. I've also heard countless times "speaking my thoughts out loud to someone has helped make things clearer". This is where a skilled coach brings huge value. Listening deeply to what is said and what isn't. Asking provocative questions to bring awareness to blind spots. Encouraging you to build upon your strengths.
There is no right or wrong answer. My experience is that to reach your potential requires a mixture of approaches. Self-coaching, professional coaching, mentors, friends and even foes.
The final thing I'd like to share in this You Coach You summary is gratitude. The You Coach You Book will bring the power of coaching to more people. This can only help make the world a better place.
Toby's Rating: 8/10 | Recommended For: Everyone | Category: Coaching
12 Best Coaching Books
I've read 100's of leadership books, many of which focus on coaching. I've picked the 12 best coaching books and curated this eBook.
In less than 5 minutes you'll get the big ideas from the best coaching books.
Helping to build high performing teams.
Prefer video?
Here is a You Coach You summary in video format
Big Ideas Expanded
The core skills of coaching are: Listening, Asking Questions, Self-Awareness.
You Coach You shares that by mastering these skills you can find your breakthrough.
Here are more resources to help you develop these core coaching skills.
How To Ask Powerful Questions
How To Build a Listening Habit
How To Build Self-Awareness
Best quotes
"You Coach You" book summary quotes:
Coaching isn’t therapy, it’s product development with you as the product.
Coaching is:
The skill of asking yourself questions to improve self-awareness and prompt positive action.
Work with me
If you're building this into 1:1s or a leadership programme, that's the work I do.
Coaching through AI change, manager-as-coach programmes, and the conversations leaders postpone until they become expensive. A 30-minute discovery call. No pitch.
Questions
- Should I read You Coach You Book?
- Learn the big ideas and best quotes from this You Coach You book summary. Written for practising leaders, not students of theory.
- Who is You Coach You Book for?
- Practising leaders, coaches, and anyone doing the work — not students of theory.
If the ideas landed, read the book.
Buy You Coach You Book on Amazon