Barbra's Recommended Books
 

CoActive Coaching by Laura Whitworth
	This is the book I recommend for learning coaching skills. For professional coaches who want to increase their proficiency as well as those interested in integrating coaching skills into their consulting practice, Co-Active Coaching presents a collaborative approach for client and coach and offers a detailed look at the fundamental principles, skills, and practices critical to coaching success.
Getting Started in Coaching by Stephen Fairley
	This is the book I recommend for establishing a coaching business. It offers the tips and tools necessary to build a successful private coaching practice from the ground up, providing sample business and marketing plans, as well as checklists, sidebars, advice on choosing a type of coaching, and information on money management.
Now, Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buskingham
	The authors have created a program to help readers identify their talents and build them into strengths. At the heart of the book is the Internet-based StrengthsFinder® Profile, the product of a 25-year, multimillion-dollar effort to identify the most prevalent human strengths. When you purchase the book you get a code that allows you to take the full test online.  I learned things about myself from this assessment that I didn't know before, and that have made a big impact on my life and work. Highly recommended.
The Happiness Hypothesis by Jonathan Haidt
	Subtitled "Finding modern truth in ancient wisdom", this is the best book I have read about how to construct a life of virtue, happiness, fulfillment, and meaning. Each chapter looks at one concept from throughout history, and questions it in light of what we now know from scientific research, and extracts from it the lessons that still apply to our modern lives.
The Feeling Good Handbook by Dr. David Burns
	Dr. Burns shows how you can use cognitive therapy to overcome a wide variety of mood problems (such as depression, frustration, panic, chronic worry and phobias), and personal relationships problems (such as marital conflict or difficulties at work).  This book has been around for decades, and is still one of the best.
Difficult Conversations by Douglas Stone
	Difficult Conversations walks you through a proven, step-by-step approach for understanding and conducting tough conversations. It shows you how to get ready, how to start the conversations in ways that reduce defensiveness, and how to keep the conversation on a constructive track regardless of how the other person responds.
The Woman’s Retreat Book by Jennifer Louden
	Jennifer Louden shows how you can use retreat as a simple, affordable way to 'get away from it all', alone or with friends, and reconnect with yourself, whether you have ten minutes or a weekend. Lots of great ideas for yourself and for clients.
The Dark Side of the Light Chasers by Debbie Ford
	We know the shadow by many names: alter ego, lower self, the dark twin, repressed self, id. Carl Jung once said that the shadow "is the person you would rather not be." But even if you choose to hide your dark side, it will still cast a shadow, according to author Debbie Ford. Rather than reject the seemingly undesirable parts of ourselves, Ford offers advice on how to confront our shadows.
The Introvert Advantage by Marti Olsen Laney
	At least one out of four people prefers to avoid the limelight, tends to listen more than they speak, feels alone in large groups, and requires lots of private time to restore their energy. They're introverts, and this book helps them boost their confidence while learning strategies for successfully living in an extrovert world.
Soul of Money by Lynne Twist
	A wise and inspiring exploration of the connection between money and leading a fulfilling life. This compelling and fundamentally liberating book shows us that examining our attitudes toward money—earning it, spending it, and giving it away—can offer surprising insight into our lives, our values, and the essence of prosperity.