Download Your Copy of:
The Intellectual Roots of Coaching: 50 Historical Thinkers and Their Influence on Coaching
Download Now!
Taking a uniquely historical perspective, Nick Bolton draws out the influences that, over a span of centuries, have coalesced into what we now call coaching.
Highlighting the significant figures whose ideas have shaped how we think, Nick brings to light the assumptions around knowledge, selfhood, meaning, dialogue and more that have contributed to the development of coaching.
Far more than simply a pragmatic conversation, Nick shows how coaching is built on foundations of thinking that have developed since the days of the Ancient Greeks and continued to evolve to a greater or lesser extent ever since.
With 50 profiles and portraits of each thinker, you will gain a snapshot of the essence of how each made their mark and how these form the bedrock of coaching or have been absorbed into it.
Each profile is short, less than 500 words, giving a brief window into the ideas of the individual and allowing you to quickly gain a sense of whom you might wish to explore further.
In this book, you'll discover:
- A curated overview of 50 influential thinkers whose ideas have shaped modern coaching.
- Insight into the psychological, philosophical, and educational theories underpinning the coaching profession.
- Connections between historical thought and contemporary coaching practices.
- A deeper understanding of how diverse disciplines—from existentialism to systems theory—influence coaching models and mindsets.
- An accessible reference for coaches wanting to ground their work in robust intellectual foundations.
- Inspiration to expand your own coaching perspective through the lens of timeless thinkers.
Who is this for?
- Practising coaches seeking a deeper understanding of the field’s theoretical foundations.
- Coaching students and trainees wanting to enrich their study with historical context.
- Coach educators and supervisors looking for accessible reference material.
- Academics exploring the intersection of coaching with psychology, philosophy, and education.
- Thoughtful professionals interested in the “why” behind the “how” of coaching.
- Anyone curious about the broader intellectual landscape that has shaped coaching as a discipline.
