A Coaching Book Review

Win-Win Partnerships ? Be on the Leading Edge with Synergistic Coaching

Win-Win Partnerships takes Coaching and Partnering to a new level. This book explores much more than employer/employee relationships. One gets a sense of the power that can come only through synergistic partnerships whether they be in or out of the workplace. The coaching process is given extensive, in-depth treatment. Each of the eight steps is given a full chapter with detail and clarity. Chapters one through four explore partnering and coaching through an in-depth look at our values and getting a feel for synergistic partnerships in general. Chapter five introduces the Coaching Model and is a good introduction of the coaching process. In chapter six, we see a specific example of a coaching opportunity and the positive outcome of creating a partnership instead of forcing our commanding style of leadership that can lead to adversarial relationships. Chapters seven through fourteen cover each of the eight steps one by one. Do not miss chapter fifteen: "Creating a Learning Relationship." The authors give eight wrap up points which bring coaching into perspective. Chapter fifteen send you off with a clear idea of what coaching is all about. It's about people, partners, and learning practical skills.

Win-Win Partnerships ? Be on the Leading Edge with Synergistic Coaching is published by CMOE Press and is available for $29.95 plus shipping and handling by calling toll-free 1-888-COACH99 or you can find more of their coaching books, visit their bookstore.

10 Best How-to Books Ever Written

Somebody once said there are more book titles beginning with the words "how to" than with anything else. Perhaps that's because we all want to learn to do things better.

I've spent hours combing library shelves for how-to titles. (I've also spent several minutes combing my hair, but that's another story.)

What follows is a completely subjective list of outstanding books that teach us how to improve ourselves. Warning: Some of these titles do NOT begin with the words "how to."

1. "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie ? written in 1936 ? offers great tips on "six ways of making people like you," "12 ways of winning people to your way of thinking," and much, much more. It's one of history's greatest guides.

2. "How to Make Your Advertising Make Money" by researcher John Caples provides great advice for just about anybody, especially those looking for ideas to help them write better.

3. "Simplify Your Life" by Elaine St. James offers "100 ways to slow down and enjoy the things that really matter."

4."The 100 Simple Secrets of Successful People" by David Niven, Ph.D. talks about the "traits, beliefs, and practices" successful people share.

5. "Tuesdays with Morrie" by Mitch Albom tells the true story of a dying professor who offers great lessons on living. It's a wonderful book for any reader.

6."Free Publicity" by Jeff Crilley. This "TV reporter shares the secrets of getting covered on the news."

7. "Panati's Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things" by Charles Panati discusses the origin of hundreds of "items, expressions, and customs," and offers fascinating facts.

8. "The Practical Guide to Practically Everything" by Peter Bernstein and Christopher Ma offers ideas and advice on many, many subjects.

9. "What Every American Should Know About American History" by Dr. Alan Axelrod and Charles Phillips discusses "200 events that shaped the nation."

10."Cracking the Network Code" by Dean Lindsay. This terrific book from Lindsay ? a popular business speaker ? offers ideas for "meeting, connecting, and developing long-term relationships with co-workers and others."

Rix Quinn wrote the new book "Words That Stick," a practical writing guide for people who hate to write. It's available from your local bookstore, or http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1580085768/qid/

Engines Of Creation (Book Reviews)

Despite a massive assault by its critics, Engines of Creation is a truly revolutionary work, and Eric Drexler should be commended for launching a worldwide discussion on the topic of molecular manufacturing (MM), or molecular nanotechnology (MNT), as some refer to it. First of all, this is a book that needs to be updated, as the opening chapters deal in-depth with protein design and a later chapter tries to paint a picture of a future network of information known as "the Internet". But the remainder of the book is timeless. (Update: Since this review, Engines of Creation has been updated and replaced by “Engines of Creation 2.0”)

The true merit of Engines of Creation comes not from the argument of whether or not manipulation of individual molecules is possible. We already know that it is. Our bodies are filled with nature's own molecular machines. But the true worth of this book stems from its assumption that such technology will develop into a worldwide enterprise and will have enormous consequences for the human experience. The importance of the examination and study of those consequences cannot be overstated, and Drexler formed the Foresight Institute in an attempt to grapple with many of these issues. (Although personally, I recommend The Center for Responsible Nanotechnology as the best "think-tank" on molecular manufacturing's benefits and dangers).

The power to thoroughly and inexpensively control the structure of matter will effect every aspect of the human experience, and although it is a worthy endeavor to speculate on the implications for medicine, space exploration, ending poverty, etc., none of these benefits will be realized if we fail to work out a reasonable system of governance once molecular manufacturing becomes reality. The development of this technology will lead to the creation of new weapons of destructive power, possibly give rise to demagogues, and provide the conditions necessary to precipitate a dangerous, and possibly world-threatening, arms race between competing MM-enabled nation states. Although we have faced these concerns since the dawn of the Nuclear Age, it remains unclear as to whether or not the same principles of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) will still apply. Engines of Creation sparks the debate on how we will deal with the new problems that arise from man's ability to manipulate molecules, and in doing so, it provides an invaluable service to the human race.

Those concerned about our future and the world in which we live should read this book, because molecular manufacturing will define our future.

About The Author

Britt Gillette

To learn more about nanotechnology, please visit http://BrittGillette.com, a Christian perspective on the end times and emerging technologies. http://brittgillette.com/WordPress/?page_id=7