The Book

Sharing the systemic coaching method with other coaches began around my kitchen table when I was first developing ways of offering and facilitating it myself. That was in the early 2000’s and the idea to write a book or offer a training hadn’t occurred to me. I was just exploring, learning by using it in my coaching and then sharing what I learnt with others.

The informal approach remained as the first ‘learning circles’ became more regular and more structured trainings. A framework and some handouts started to emerge. The framework became the backbone of today’s curriculum, that, in the hands of the international teaching team continues to evolve and mature beautifully.

The handouts that emerged from those early days became the first edition of this book, published over ten years ago. This 3rd (and final) edition offers a comprehensive introduction to the underpinning philosophy that can only really be expanded upon by direct experience in an experiential learning circle. It is that combination of learning through our heads and our hearts that makes the learning so effective and applicable with individuals, teams and groups.

I am so pleased to celebrate and support what Corinne and Grégoire have co-created with the trainings in French and this French edition of the book. Together we hope it will enable more coaches to integrate the stance, principles and practices into their life and work.

John Whittington. Spring 2023