Many professional coaches are wary of working with computer programmers, or doing executive coaching in high-tech organizations, because they feel uneasy with programmers, and intimidated by the strange language and business processes. And yet, the software field is virtually virgin territory for professional coaches. Bruce Taylor has produced a slim little volume that provides the extra knowlege you need to work effectively in the high-tech and slightly bizarre world of professional programmers. It's virtually required reading if you're going to be coaching programmers, their managers, or their executives.

Taylor relies on his long experience in the software world and introduces the concepts with humor and an absolute minimum of technical jargon. I found the book informative and entertaining and very easy to read, and I expect to apply the knowlege any time I need to work with software professionals. I especially like his practice of making each chapter stand alone, so that you can acquire just the information you need without having to read the book end-to-end. The summaries called "For Those In A Hurry" make it even easier to pick up the important concepts quickly.

Taylor writes in a straightforward, engaging style; and uses examples liberally to illustrate his information. The simulated conversations between coaches and clients are especially effective. The early chapters describe programmers themselves, the middle chapters describe the world in which they work, the later chapters describe the triumphs and tribulations that they face every day. And the final chapters provide specific advice for coaching or counseling in the world of high-tech software.

As the founder of MentorCoach, a coach training school, I have helped train thousands of helping professionals to become coaches. Based on these years of experience, I can tell you I will recommend this book to every coach in our training school. It is an essential guide for anyone hoping to coach, understand,or work with computer programmers-a relatively unserved niche. More to the point, I earnestly recommend this book to you if you are a helping professional who wants to coach or counsel computer programmers or managers, either in your own office or on the job. It's an easy, pleasant read and the knowlege you will gain is priceless.

Ben Dean, PCC
Founder MentorCoach Inc.