Erik de Haan is the director of Ashridge's centre for Coaching and a senior organisation development consultant for Ashridge Consulting near London. He is also an executive near London. He is also an executive coach, supervisor and accreditor of other coaches. In his role as programme director of the Ashridge masters in Executive coaching, he draws on the content of this book in the second year of study. His previous books in English include the Consulting Process as Drama (2003) Learning with colleges (2004), Coaching with colleagues (2004) and Fearless Consulting (2006). these books have all been published in Dutch, and the latter also in Russian.
Ashridge is one of the world's leading providers of executive education. established in 1959, it has acquired an outstanding international reputation in helping to make a difference to both individuals and organisations through its combination of executive development, research and consultancy expertise. Its activities include open & tailored executive education programmes, MBA, MSc & Diploma qualifications,organisations consulting, applied research and online learning. Clients include leading organisations in the private and public sectors in the UK and across the globe.

Preface.
Part I: The Ways of Coaching.
Introduction; the Paths Towards Coaching.
1. From Intake to Intervention : The Outlines of a Profession.
2. From Sigma to Status: The Growth of a Profession.
3. From Prize-fighting to Prizes for All: The Active Ingredients.
4. From Intervention to Interaction: Relational Coaching.
Part II: The Ways of Research.
Introduction: The Paths Towards Research.
5. Coachees Have Their Say: Which Interventions Work for Us?
6. 'I Doubt Therefore I Coach': Critical Moments of Less Experienced Coaches.
7. 'I Struggle and Emerge': Critical Moments of Experienced Coaches.
8. Coaches Have Their Say: How to Handle Critical Moments?
Part III: The Ways of Excellence.
Introduction: the Paths Towards Excellence.
9. Training and Accreditation of the Executive Coach.
10. Continuing Professional Development of the Executive Coach.
11. Library of the Executive Coach.
12. Future of the Executive Coach.
Appendix A: 80 Critical moments of New Coaches.
Appendix B: 78 Critical Moments of Experienced Coaches.
Appendix C. Case Study : Tamara.
Appendix D: Verbatim Transcript: Ken.
Appendix E: Code of Conduct for Executive Coaches.
Appendix F: Intake Instruments and Checklists.
Literature.
Index.

Relational Coaching is a radically different way of looking at coaching that puts the relationship, from the perspective of the coachee, at the centre. Relational coaching is part of an age-old tradition but has also bee reinforced by a number of reliable studies in recent decades. Relational Coaching gives the modern executive coach ten commandments to help improve his or her practice:
* First, do no harm;
* Have confidence;
* Commit yourself heart and soul to your approach, even if you know that it doesn't matter which professional approach you choose;
* Feed the hopes of your coachee;
* Consider the coaching from your coachee's perspective;
* Work on your coaching relationship,discuss it explicitly;
* If you don't 'click', find a replacement coach;
* Look after yourself;
* Stay as fresh and unbiased as possible;
* Don't worry too much about your specific behavior in the moment.
This book demonstrates how each of these commandments is underpinned by sound quantitative research.
Relational Coaching gives a complete overview not only of the profession and the latest developments in coaching but also of the state of the art in other respects. The second part of the book presents new quantitative and qualitative research into effects and experiences of coaching. part III contains an introduction to the activities that make a good coach and the mechanisms used to verify coaches' understanding of their profession. Other topics covered include Training, accreditation, supervision and recommended literature.
"Navigating through the coaching field is like finding one's way out of a confusing labyrinth. Too many books, too many quick-fix promises, too many snake oil salesmen, and, unfortunately, too little substance. given the present state of field, it was a great pleasure for me to read Erik de Haan's book relational Coaching. For a change, here is a contribution that goes beyond the trite and obvious. Instead, the author takes us on an exciting journey to explain what coaching is all about, providing us with a roadmap that is second to none. Anyone interested in better understanding what coaching is all about, would do well to have serious look at this book." - Manfred Kets De Vries.