Criticality in Coaching and Beyond

This book explores the concept of criticality, a quality that supports a deeper understanding of complex situations that people encounter at work and interpersonal relationship. For contemporary coaches it offers ideas on how they can develop the essential quality of criticality to work with clients in a significantly changing world.

‘To paraphrase Voltaire, “Common sense is not so common”. This point is central to Tatiana Bachkirova’s book on ‘criticality, the activity of making sense critically of the complex interplay between oneself, others, and situations that together underlie difficult events and processes. She argues that the ability to question the unquestionable and make sense of complex, challenging circumstances is essential for anyone seeking to be effective in difficult situations. That alone makes this book essential reading for those in the helping professions.’

Manfred F.R. Kets de Vries, Distinguished Clinical Professor of Leadership Development and Organisational Change, The Raoul de Vitry d’Avaucourt Chaired Professor of Leadership Development, Emeritus. INSEAD

‘Professor Bachkirova has written what I think will, or should, become a classic in the field of coaching. It is written with great skill, care and intellectual honesty. An honesty that draws the reader to question and notice the way they make meaning and act - in themselves, in the coaching engagement and in the world. It challenges us to notice the wider and deeper consequences of that process for who we actually are, and who we are becoming together. For this reason, her book is not for the feint-hearted, nor for those who are seeking to be comforted by the reinforcement of familiar beliefs and well-worn practices. It is, however, for those who are committed to a never-ending journey of curiosity, uncertainty and surprising discovery - a journey with no clear destination beyond a deepening awareness of this complex and shared experience we call life. She is truly one of the shining lights of the coaching world.’

Michael Cavanagh, Coaching Psychology Unit, Sydney University

‘This book is an essential read for advanced coaches and all those working in relational professions. Tatiana Bachkirova brilliantly frames criticality as a dynamic integration of philosophy and psychology which can be applied as a reflective practice, equipping coaches with a more discerning approach. This rigorous contribution to the field is much needed at a time when the coaching profession is in danger of being swamped and perhaps undermined by AI and other more superficial approaches.’

Dr Simon Western , CEO The Eco-Leadership Institute, Author of Coaching and Mentoring a critical text

‘I love this book! Criticality is a state of mind! Thank you Tatiana for a lucid, well researched and insightful contribution. In today's troubled world, a critical state of mind is vital and in coaching practice it's essential!’

Professor (Emeritus) Bob Garvey, The Lio Partnership

‘In a world in which we are all surrounded by more and more people telling us what to think, it is so important that we each and every one of us become more discerning. This is what I understand the clarion call for critical thinking to be. In this book Tatiana helps us to understand that to think critically is not to criticize, rather it is to encourage self-awareness, reflection, and reflexivity. Everything Tatiana writes is grounded in the philosophical tradition, challenging, and important. I wholeheartedly endorse this book to anyone working in the helping professions, or indeed anyone at all who recognises the need to encourage us all to think about how we think, in service of co-creating a better world.’

Paul Lawrence, Owner, Leading Systemically , Honorary research associate at Oxford Brookes University

‘I was delighted when asked if I would write an endorsement for Tatiana's book! Having read the proposal for it some while back I have been eagerly awaiting its publication. Criticality - and too often the lack of it - is core to so much of our everyday living and has a very particular place in the work of coaching psychologists, coaches, therapists, and beyond. It raises many questions, opens important debates and fills a gap in our literature. The book's focus on professionals and their practice and the inclusion of numerous clients and other real-life examples pave the way for new ways of thinking about core aspects of the way we work and the way we prepare people for this work. It challenges, in an embracing and inclusive manner, many of our implicit and explicit ways of making sense of events, ourselves, others and ways of being in this world and very constructively presents alternatives rooted in the philosophy and practice of criticality.’

Professor Mary Watts, Chartered Psychologist, Emeritus Professor of Psychology, City St George's, University of London

Tatiana Bachkirova is Professor of Coaching Psychology at the International Centre for Coaching and Mentoring Studies at Oxford Brookes University, UK. She is a recognized international speaker, and her many publications include books, empirical research and conceptual papers on the complex issues in the coaching discipline.