The 12 Best Books to Build a Coaching Mindset
Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember.
Involve me and I learn.
-BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
The way we approach conversations can profoundly shape the outcomes of our relationships, teams, and organizations. Yet even with strong EQ and vibrant interpersonal skills, it’s easy to slip into a pattern of telling, directing, or offering solutions without truly exploring the deeper possibilities and giving other people space to stretch and grow.
Shifting to a coaching mindset—one that embraces curiosity, deep listening, and thoughtful questioning—opens up new pathways for understanding and connection. This shift isn’t just valuable for professional coaches; it’s a skill anyone can develop to foster more meaningful dialogue and empower those around them.
These 12 books offer creative guidance and inspiration to help you flex your coaching mindset. Whether you’re a leader looking to empower your team with thoughtful questioning, a professional who wants to support mutual learning opportunities with colleagues, or someone who simply wants to engage in more meaningful conversations, this collection of books will equip you with a variety of resources to further develop a coaching mindset. From refining your ability to listen deeply to mastering the art of powerful questions, these books will help you approach every conversation with a coaching mindset, unlocking deeper insights and more intentional connections.
1 - The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stanier
A thought-provoking guidebook to develop an intentional and consistent coaching approach.
Michael Bungay Stanier’s The Coaching Habit is a must-read for managers looking to integrate coaching into their daily interactions. This book presents seven essential questions that help create focused, intentional conversations, enabling you to coach your team more effectively. Rather than overhauling your entire approach, Stanier shows you how to weave coaching into your existing leadership style, making it a natural and consistent part of your routine. With practical tips and real-world examples, this book empowers you to lead with curiosity and bring out the best in your team without overwhelming yourself or them.
If you’re looking to build a sustainable coaching habit that fits into busy days, this book makes it feel doable and worthwhile.
2 - The Advice Trap by Michael Bungay Stanier
A candid look at practical strategies to break the habit of giving advice too often.
In The Advice Trap, Michael Bungay Stanier explores how to move from being a "fixer" to a true coach who empowers others to solve their own problems. He emphasizes the importance of staying curious and refraining from offering advice too quickly. This book offers practical guidance on how to resist the temptation to jump into problem-solving mode, fostering a more supportive environment for growth.
If you find yourself jumping in to solve problems too quickly, this book will help you slow down, listen better, and trust others more.
3 - The Coaching Shift by Shonna D. Waters & Brodie Gregory Riordan
An engaging, relatable guide for anyone wanting to develop coaching skills to enhance communication and performance.
The Coaching Shift is a practical guide that helps leaders, managers, and professionals develop a coaching mindset and the skills necessary to communicate more effectively, foster stronger relationships, and drive higher performance in others. Waters & Riordan walk you through the essential shifts in mindset and behavior that are key to becoming a more coach-like professional or leader. This book goes beyond theory, offering practical steps and tools that can be applied in real-world conversations.
If you want to build your ability to inspire and empower others, The Coaching Shift will show you how to transform everyday interactions into impactful coaching moments.
4 - Helping People Change by Richard Boyatzis, Melvin Smith, & Ellen Van Oosten
An inspiring roadmap for professionals and growth enthusiasts who want to learn how to encourage long-term, sustainable change.
Richard Boyatzis and colleagues, in How to Help People Change, present a comprehensive guide on how to facilitate meaningful, lasting transformation. Focusing on emotional intelligence and its role in change, Boyatzis emphasizes how important it is to tap into people’s intrinsic motivation to create lasting impact. This book combines scientific research with practical advice, making it invaluable for anyone involved in behavior change.
If you’re looking for a framework that not only helps others change but also supports you in fostering sustainable growth, this book offers a research-based but relatable guide into the psychology of change and how you can help others tap into their best selves.
5 - The Coaching Mindset by Chad Hall
An excellent resource for exploring the distinct features of a coaching mindset.
Chad Hall’s The Coaching Mindset presents eight powerful shifts that can transform the way you think and interact with others. These mindset changes help you approach situations with curiosity, patience, and a focus on empowerment. Whether you’re a seasoned coach or someone looking to think more like one, Hall’s tools will help you bring more intention, awareness, and insight to your conversations.
This is an invaluable resource for anyone who wants to think like a coach.
6 - How to Listen by Oscar Trimboli
A must-read for anyone who wants to elevate their listening skills and create stronger, more impactful relationships.
In How to Listen, Oscar Trimboli highlights the importance of listening beyond the words spoken. This book offers actionable strategies for understanding not just what’s said, but the underlying emotions and intentions behind the conversation. Trimboli teaches readers how to listen actively and empathetically, a key skill for any professional, leader, or coach looking to build deeper connections.
If you want to take your listening skills to the next level and engage in more meaningful conversations, this book will equip you with strategies for truly hearing what’s being said.
7 - Time to Think by Nancy Kline
A transformative exploration of the power of listening to foster creativity and growth.
In Time to Think, Nancy Kline delves into the art of listening as a tool to unlock creativity and bring out the best in others. Kline demonstrates how thoughtful, uninterrupted listening creates an environment where people feel valued and free to think for themselves.
If you’re seeking to improve your listening skills and create an environment that sparks innovation, this book provides practical steps for listening in a way that supports deep thinking and meaningful conversations.
8 - Coaching Questions by Tony Stoltzfus
An expansive collection of questions to guide deep and transformative coaching conversations.
Tony Stoltzfus’s Coaching Questions provides a wealth of powerful questions for coaches to use in their sessions. It’s a go-to resource for anyone looking to uncover hidden issues, spark reflection, and guide clients to meaningful insights.
If you’re looking for a resource packed with questions that will take your coaching conversations to the next level, this book offers a comprehensive library of prompts that will help your clients get unstuck and find clarity.
9 - The Book of Beautiful Questions by Warren Berger
A creative and inspiring guide to asking the questions that unlock deeper insights.
Warren Berger’s The Book of Beautiful Questions encourages readers to push beyond surface-level thinking and dive deeper into creative problem-solving. This book offers question prompts that help unlock new ideas and ways of thinking.
If you’re interested in fostering curiosity and helping others see things from fresh perspectives, this book will inspire you to ask more beautiful, thought-provoking questions.
10 - Ask Powerful Questions by Will Wise
A hands-on manual for asking questions that spark insight and action.
Ask Powerful Questions provides a framework for crafting open-ended questions that encourage self-reflection, problem-solving, and innovation. Will Wise demonstrates how to structure questions that promote deeper thinking and lead to real solutions.
If you're looking to ask questions that inspire change and self-discovery in others, this book gives you the tools to create impactful conversations.
11 - Tiny Experiments by Anne-Laure Le Cunff
A playful and insightful approach to exploring small changes that create big impacts.
In Tiny Experiments, Anne-Laure Le Cunff advocates for experimenting with small, incremental changes to lead a more balanced, purposeful life. It’s about embracing curiosity, trial, and error to discover what works best in your personal and professional life.
If you’re looking for inspiration to experiment with new ways of thinking and doing, this book offers an unconventional path to exploring personal growth and creativity.
12 - The Art of Possibility by Rosamund & Benjamin Zander
A transformative exploration of shifting your perspective and embracing possibility thinking.
In The Art of Possibility, Rosamund and Benjamin Zander provide powerful practices for shifting your mindset and opening up to a world of new possibilities. This book emphasizes the importance of viewing challenges from a new angle and fostering a mindset of abundance.
If you’re ready to break free from limiting beliefs and embrace a mindset that welcomes new opportunities, this book offers a roadmap to unlocking your fullest potential.
