Despite its phenomenal growth in recent years the purpose and nature of coaching is a still mystery to many, while the coach's role is often confused with that of counselors, or therapists. This series aims to dispel any mystery or confusion learners may have by focusing on the pragmatic and strategic business applications of coaching. Designed for those whose organizational role requires them to coach others, the series will provide a comprehensive understanding of what business coaching is, what it can achieve, and the skills and attitudes needed to make it work. Coaching is performed on-the-job, in real time, to build an individual's knowledge and thought processes using actual tasks and problems to help the coachee increase his or her performance. The coach creates a supportive environment that develops critical thinking skills, productive ideas, and constructive behaviors. To achieve this, the coach needs to have skills in both facilitation and development. Through his or her attitudes, words, and actions a coach affirms the natural desire that we all have to develop and grow, to control our own work, and to be recognized for what we contribute. The coach knows that everyone, regardless of organizational status or position, has the potential to develop beyond current skills and responsibilities. Coaching is highly situational, therefore, given a foundation knowledge of coaching principles, the series engages the learner in higher level application and practice of these principles. Beginning with an overview of coaching and its benefits, the series moves on to explore the fundamental characteristics of effective and productive coaching relationships, the core skills involved, the competencies, attitudes and frame of mind required by coaches and coachees, with guidance on how to choose appropriate coaching styles, highlighting the potential blocks to coaching plus the strategies for overcoming them. Throughout the series key theoretical models are analyzed and exemplified by case studies within a framework of the key stages of the coaching process.