These guides are mandatory reading and rereading for coaches. Coaching is an art and a scient that you will never stop trying to master.

1. "The Coaching Habit" by Michael Bungay Stanier

My initial coaching style was shaped after reading Stanier's book. His insights taught me to resist the knee-jerk reflex to blurt out immediate suggestions to my clients.

Instead of offering suggestions right away, I began implementing a question-first approach in my sessions. This simple shift helped unlock my clients' inner potential and genius, empowering them to become self-sufficient.

The featured questions in the book are cleverly designed to discover what's troubling a client, their true desires, expand on their ideas and thoughts, stimulate creativity, retain takeaways, etc. As a coach, put these tools in your arsenal.

Stanier's knowledge is derived from training thousands of managers around the world to be better coaches. His book was written for workplace leaders but is applicable to life coaches.

2. "The HeART of Laser-Focused Coaching" by Marion Franklin

Franklin is a brilliant coach with endless wisdom. The featured case studies, sample sessions, and stories reinforce the lessons.

The book gave me great tools, tactics, and concepts to facilitate amazing, transformative breakthroughs in sessions. I enjoyed studying the most common issues people need to resolve. Applying this framework elevates a novice to adept practitioner.

Franklin advises coaches not to get distracted by personal stories but to maintain proper focus on the core issues at hand. Listen to what is not said by observing tone, body language, emotions, etc. Her advice on crafting the right type of questions for the best impact is solid.

3. "Coach the Person, Not the Problem" by Marcia Reynolds

Reynolds argues that too many coaches get stuck in their head trying to craft stellar questions, while not actively listening or focusing on the paying customer. There really is no such thing as the best, most perfect, magical question.

Rather than asking questions, coaches should use reflective inquiry, whereby you summarize and paraphrase what clients tell you, eliciting deeper critical thinking. Along the way, Reynolds debunks several myths about the profession.

Repeating their words and thoughts guides folks to see how underlying beliefs, stories, and emotions impact their decisions, creating breakthroughs and mental shifts. This strategy is far more useful than solving immediate problems. Research on the brain proves this approach fosters deeper self-awareness and lasting change.

4. The Thriving Coach by Frank Macri

The book turned me on to the coveted lifestyle of a high-ticket coach who can live anywhere and work whenever. With premium pricing, the numbers stack up fast. Earning 6-figures is within the reach of anyone who knows the proper protocol and executes.

This underrated guide inspired and educated me a great deal. He debunks a lot silly myths about coaching that I had believed.

Macri's podcast is a joy to listen to as well because he is a personal development genius. I don't always agree with everything he says and writes but I learn so much from him.