Coaching in business has come a long way. Once used primarily to deal with "problem" employees, this powerful tool for improving performance and enhancing career growth has become a symbol of status among today's high-potential leaders. While much has been written for practicing coaches, this timely new book delivers a first-of-its-kind user's guide for executives and managers considering coaching for themselves or for a member of their team.

Joan Kofodimos draws on her nearly 25 years of pioneering work in the field to lay out in precise detail what coaching candidates should look for and what results they can expect: guidelines to evaluate the potential value of coaching; criteria for choosing the right coach based on experience, focus and personal "fit"; and critical action steps in moving from assessment to behavior change. Dozens of checklists, sample meeting agendas and coaching contracts, dialogue scripts and life-inspired case examples equip executives and managers with the information they need to enter into a coaching relationship fully prepared to participate as a vested partner, whether establishing a new contract or maximizing the benefits of an existing one. This concise and easily accessible guidebook explores how coaching can address performance issues, develop high-potential leaders, build teams and support leaders who drive change.