Coaching for Improved Work Performance, Revised Edition

Way back in 1979, or thereabouts, I attended a 2-day workshop led by Ferdinand Fournies that was called "Coaching For Improved Work Performance." I have never since, in my entire Human Resources career, attended a workshop more memorable, more fascinating or more useful. The book we received, and upon which the workshop was based? Yup...Coaching for Improved Work Performance. It was brilliant then, and it's brilliant now. There must have been around 40 attendees, all HR professionals, and every single one of us was open-mouthed when Mr. Fournies asked us "why is it that employees don't do what you want them to do?"...and proceeded to give us 14 separate, clear, logical, and convincing reasons why, and equally clear examples of each reason.It was an eye-opener that I've never forgotten, and even though I've just bought the updated version of the book I've still got my original...with Mr. Fournies' signature! Whether you're a manager, a supervisor or a Boy Scout troop leader, this book will make you understand what you need to do to get commitment, comprehension and great performance from your team.

I've been a proponent of this book for several decades now, in its many incarnations. I've lent out and replaced so many copies that I've lost count. I've recently made it required reading for all of my supervisors, and have already begun to see improvements in problem solving, employee relations, and overall morale.This is not a manual for team building, nor is it a psychological study, or approach, to people management. Rather, it is a practical step-by-step guide to understanding why particular employees are under-performing, and a plan, with tips, on how to help that individual improve their performance. Most importantly to me, at this stage of my career, it helps leaders, supervisors, and managers develop a better perspective of their true relationship with their staff; as Fournies puts it at is baldest "you need them more than they need you".I believe it fits well with the Lean-TPS concepts of Employee Empowerment, and provides an excellent tool for Lean Change Leaders to persude those reluctant to accept those changes. I highly recommend this book to anyone who directs the work of others.

I found the information in this book to be great, if you can manage to read it. The writing style is old fashioned and pretty boring. I found myself skipping a lot of the examples because they just got old.I love the overall message of the book and think it is great for that though.

Had been using this at previous job.Showed it to newer manage at current job. Highlighted 16 reasons why people don't do what the should, and the flow chart. He just purchased his own copy. And my son now has this copy.Suggested reading do any manager responsible for managing people.

This book is a very clear and concise method of supervising. It really does take conflict out of supervising. A local company bought a copy for all their owners after I gave a copy to a friend. I am a psychologist in private practice. Every client that I have suggested it to has found it help. This version has a flow chart that makes it very easy to learn the steps of supervision.

I love this book for its practicality. Few books actually will guide you through the precise nuance of a difficult management conversation. This book practically scripts it! In particular this book really sells the idea of actually managing people to add value, as opposed to just assuming that they should come self-managed and firing them if they aren't. He describes employees as people who are effectively renting their behavior to the firm, and that all you really want to do is manage that behavior that you are renting. No need to make it bigger than that or try to complicate things by trying to guess what's going on in their heads. Just focus on behavior! It's all very practical and it makes sense!

If you've just been promoted, or just promoted someone... this is a MUST read. It has practical advice on how to manage people...ie: how to get work done through others. I wish I had read it 15 years ago... much of it, I eventually learned through experience. But, I've also seen many managers flounder by making the mistakes described in this book... It is a little dated... but, the advice is timeless.

Real world examples make this book easy to understand and soak in. I have already started looking at people's behavior in a different way!

On time. As ordered, great book.

Can’t wait to get started with my new book, unbelievable value

I wish I had this book five years ago because our company and people would have benefited immensely from a more effective management approach from me.You will learn about the importance of providing feedback, coaching conversations, follow-ups, solutions for handling personal and work problems your employees are having, thought transmission (better communication through leading questions) and more, with real world examples. This book is written in a 100% practical 'start using tomorrow' style. Definitely worthwhile now and will continue to refer to for years to come.Recommend also reading with 'The Weekly Coaching Conversation' by Brian Souza, which can be completed first in two hours or so total. It sets up this book nicely by explaining how coaching as a management style creates productivity and rapport.

The book was beautifully packaged. And also deliveri was very fast.

Great coaching modality