Psychometrics in Coaching - Using Psychological and Psychometric Tools for Development

Citation

Cattell, A. (2008), "Psychometrics in Coaching - Using Psychological and Psychometric Tools for Development", Industrial and Commercial Training, Vol. 40 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/ict.2008.03740eae.001

Psychometrics in Coaching - Using Psychological and Psychometric Tools for Development

Article Type: Bookshelf From: Industrial and Commercial Training, Volume 40, Issue 5

Edited by Jonathan Passmore,Kogan Page,London, UK. Philadelphia USA,2008,350 pp.,ISBN: 9780749450809,£24.95, US$50 (paperback),

Commissioned by the Association for Coaching and with all royalties going to the Association, this book is a follow up to Excellence in Coaching. It is Edited by Jonathan Passmore with contributions from himself and 33 leading writers in the field, all of whom have donated their time and effort without remuneration as part of their commitment to developing the coaching profession and sharing of their expertise. The background of the contributors encompasses coaching, psychology and psychometrics and whilst the majority of contributors come from Europe, the United States or Australia, many have worked globally as academics/consultants. The coverage of the 15 tools chosen for the book represents some of the more popular used in the UK, United States and wider English speaking world.

The text is likely to be of interest to current and new coaches, Human Resources specialists and readers interested in their own self development plus those who may use psychometrics for development within organizations. Equally, the subject matter caters for students with an interest in coaching approaches, human behaviour, personal development and psychology. As such the book presents an overview of some of the psychometrics that can be used within coaching, underpinned by theoretical concepts and background to each.

The identified aim of the text is to make a contribution to disseminating knowledge and improving coaching practice in psychometrics whilst also widening coaches’ understanding of the wide range of instruments/tools which are available. In his Forward to the book Professor Stephen Palmer observes that it would be useful reading for a coach new to psychometric testing as regards understanding concepts such as validity and reliability.

The book is composed of two parts in which the first couple of chapters outline the utilisation of psychometrics and psychological tools and the key aspects of feedback. The following 15 chapters cover each of the chosen instruments and identify how the coach can use these. Each of these chapters follows a common structure and style as regards being presented as four main sections covering:

1. 1.

   Theory and research behind the questionnaire.

2. 2.

   Overview of the questionnaire.

3. 3.

   Using the questionnaire to deepen self-awareness as a coach.

4. 4.

   Using the questionnaire as a tool with coachees.

Examples of areas covered by the instruments are coaching involving: personality types; competences; teams; talent; motivation; emotional intelligence personal development; leadership; resilience, archetypes; strengths; stress; interpersonal relationships; cultural transformation; and lifestyles.

A final brief chapter identifies other instruments and brief details of the background theory and scales used.

A definite strength of the book is that many of the contributors have been involved in the development of the chosen instruments and are also experienced coaches... Additionally website and email contact addresses for most chapter authors are included under their personal details, allowing follow up by the reader. The text is well laid out and includes tables, diagrams, graphics, chapter summaries and extensive bibliography details. These add to the reader friendliness of what seems to be a primarily academic text at first appearance, but has many really practical applications to coaching for both coach and coachee development. The text potentially fills a gap in literature within the field of coaching. The book is realistically priced and offers the reader very good value.

Alan Cattell