Clueless? Look No Further

HOT READS FOR THE PRACTITIONER

Title: Clueless: Coaching People Who Just Don’t Get It

Competency: coaching, performance management

Who benefits: all levels of management

Consultant Usage: executive coaches, career counselors

What’s it about? I picked up this delightfully titled book for two reasons.  First, the large bold type word “Clueless” seemed to speak to me.  If I were doing a list of self-descriptors, this word might be near the top of the list.  I am sure “nice guy” would be at the very top … but who knows, I am basically clu….  Oh never mind.

The second reason I picked up this book is that I often judge a book by its cover.

As I began to read the book I had several thoughts.  The first was “Wow, these people really know what they are talking about.”  Then I thought “Wow, there are a lot of practical coaching tidbits for both those in supervision and for those who coach professionally”.

Then as I read more closely I thought “Wow, this stuff looks awfully familiar”.  Finally I thought “Wow, I know these people”.  The book was written by my boss, Ken Nowack, and my colleague Sandra Mashihi at Envisia Learning.  See, I am not totally Clueless!

Of course when I realized who wrote this just published gem I immediately thought to myself “Self (that is what I call me), you can’t write a review about your employer/colleagues/friends”.

Then I thought “The Hell I can’t”.  When will I ever have a better opportunity to ‘suck up’?”.  (See, I am not totally Clueless!)

So here is my succinct review: The book is totally awesome.  Buy it.

If per chance you are one of those people I always had difficulty dealing with at work – you know the kind.  You tell them something that is perfectly obvious but they always want “the details”.  Well you detailed person, you, here are some of the basics:

The book is drawn on 20 plus years of research based on 360 degree feedback and the accompanying coaching.  If you are not familiar with Dr. Nowack let me add that many of his peers consider him to be the preeminent expert in the field of multi-rater 360 feedback and coaching.  (I put this sentence in here to make sure my “sucking up” works … however the statement is True!)

Back to the details.  The book is written in four parts with key points and practical exercises at the end of each part.  Part I: Factors That Influence Behavior Change introduces the 3-stage behavioral change model.

Part II introduces the first stage of the model: Enlighten.  This describes why enlightenment is necessary for behavioral change.

Part III introduces the second stage of the model: Encourage.  This section addresses the question “If I know who I am, am I really ready to change”.

Part IV introduces the third and final stage of the model: Enable.  It is about how one goes about changing.  Earlier in the book there is a great quote that fits here: “…when we are through changing, we are through.”  That thought drives this section.

Okay detail people, that is all you are going to get from me.  If you want more, buy it.

Let me close by saying that no matter how many copies are sold, I won’t receive one red cent for this excellent review.  However all this sucking up might get me a raise.

Catch you later.

You can find more information or order Clueless: Coaching People Who Just Don’t Get It by going to: http://www.envisialearning.com/clueless_book]

Bill Bradley

Bill Bradley (mostly) retired after 35 years in organizational consulting, training and management development. During those years he worked internally with seven organizations and trained and consulted externally with more than 90 large and small businesses, government agencies, hospitals and schools.