Coaching sounds like what weak students get after school or promising athletes take for granted.

In modern man-management terms it is, according to Mr Bolt, "not just for the high flyers or those with a specific problem. Coaching can have a very positive impact on people's performance and careers so that both individuals and organisations benefit".

In today's competitive and ever-changing business environment, a good management needs to adopt a holistic approach to maximise the potential of employees, Mr Bolt argues.

New technologies, increasing pressures and the gradual phasing out of traditional layers of management means greater emphasis on individual responsibility. This requires continual learning which the hierarchical structure based on you-do-that cannot deliver.

Coaching is not just another form of supervision. True coaching involves the participant being willing to identify their strengths and shortcomings and to take action as needed.

In pursuing this goal Mr Bolt breaks down coaching to its constituent parts.

When embarking on a coaching session it is necessary to lay down the ground rules by setting a time and date and by establishing rapport; agreeing objectives; identifying problems; devising a plan; establishing commitment and providing feedback.

But coaching is not just defined by the downwards method of managers engaging with those further down the food chain. Coaching can also involve your peers as well as the bigger beasts in your particular jungle. As Mr Bolt says, coaching upwards is an unusual occurrence with obvious benefits and dangers.

If involved in this rather fraught exercise, it is advisable to have the ground rules down pat and the confidence of senior management before engaging in such activity.

According to Mr Bolt there are several key differences between a traditional organisation and a coaching-based one.

They are: decentralised rather than hierarchical; empowered employees rather than top-down management; entrepreneurial rather that risk-averse and a committed and loyal staff rather than one with little loyalty.

Mr Bolt provides an exhaustive run-down of the mechanics and philosophy of the coaching method in a style that is a little dry, but cannot be faulted for its thoroughness.

comidheach@irish-times.ie