Cover to Cover - January 2025
A selection of the GCC Book Club’s best book reviews
The GCC exists to promote quality and ethical coaching practices, build meaningful connections with peers, and provide inclusive support for coaches across the world. We offer resources, activities, conversations, and collaboration needed for coaches to thrive. - CoachCoalition.org
The Global Coaches Coalition Book Club provides a unique experience—participants can join discussions without committing to reading the book! Whether you’ve read the book or not, you’ll enjoy summaries, insights, and rich conversations in multiple languages and time zones.
Below you’ll find two of our recent selections, along with tidbits from our discussions, to help you choose your next read or inspire you to join us!
As a participant you can come and get familiar with a book and/or come and share your perspectives having read the book. It’s an open experience, and we enthusiastically welcome readers and explorers alike to enjoy all we have to offer.
We’d love to see you there!
“The Brain That Changes Itself” by Norman Doidge
A Review by Terri Hase
This book was super interesting, though a bit of a slow read, and is now a bit dated. However, there is a lot it has to offer!
In The Brain That Changes Itself, psychiatrist Norman Doidge presents a comprehensive look at neuroplasticity—the discovery that the brain can reorganize itself throughout life. Previously, its structure was thought to be fixed.
The book examines incredible recovery stories from those who endured strokes, injuries, and various medical disorders. These awe-striking case studies demonstrate neuroplasticity, as patients' brains forge new pathways through training. Who could imagine your tongue helping signals get to your brain for anything but taste?
Doidge explores the science behind neuroplastic healing. Key factors are focused attention and repetitive motion. Even thoughts reshape the brain, so what you think is important to your wellbeing in the most direct sense. Various therapies leverage neuroplasticity, from meditation to brain wave manipulation.
Overall, the book conveys a message of hope. We aren't defined by the brain we're born with, or may discover we have after an accident or illness occurs. Through neuroplasticity, change is possible at any age. The brain can heal damage and build new connections. Mental and physical exercise supports lifelong development, which is a fantastic byproduct of the direct brain re-wiring that takes place.
The Brain That Changes Itselfhelped mainstream neuroplasticity. Though the writing is a bit dry and academic, with many citations, Doidge makes the science compelling through the incredible recovery stories. It wasn’t an ‘easy’ read, requiring some work to absorb all the details. Still, it was worthwhile! We suggest reading this AND pairing it with newer neuroplasticity books, as the field is expanding quickly!
“What Would a Wise Person Do?” by Marion Franklin
A Review by Hami Taheri
What Would a Wise Person Do? by Marion Franklin, is an insightful exploration into wisdom, decision-making, and life strategies. I couldn't help but reflect on each chapter, thinking about how I've moved through my own life and helped my clients face their challenges. Franklin offers practical advice that inspires readers to approach life's difficulties with thoughtfulness and clarity. The book emphasizes self-awareness, humility, and intentionality for personal growth, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking wisdom.
Franklin’s writing is lucid and engaging, simplifying complex concepts so that they’re easy for any reader to grasp. It’s an easy read, perfect for daily reflection and guidance. This book serves as a great primer on how to cultivate wisdom in everyday living, offering practical tools for decision-making and personal growth. One of the best parts of reading Marion’s work is that she doesn’t fill it with unnecessary filler, so reading it is a breeze. It’s always right at the level of ‘the point’ she is conveying.
An especially good reminder for me is the wisdom in using “I” messages. I am using this strategy more in my coaching, but also in day-to-day life. This approach involves saying “I feel” versus the more common “YOU did” when in communication. It helps reduce conflict and increases positive conversations. This technique helps me lessen my judgment of others as well! After all, I’m the only one who knows what I think or feel inside myself, so that’s what I should be communicating, not assigning motivation to the other person.
What Would a Wise Person Do? works like a compass, guiding me toward my wiser version. It feels as though you’re observing yourself as your wiser self is quietly chatting with you. Through the lens of each chapter, you can see episodes of your life—and your clients’ lives—unfolding, revealing valuable insights for both personal and professional growth.
