From Bookshelf to Breakthroughs: How the Alumni Book Club Fuels Coaching Growth

Books have long been a source of inspiration for coaches, offering new perspectives, tools, and reflective moments that can elevate both personal growth and professional practice. But let’s be honest—how often do those books sit on the shelf, waiting for “someday”?

Enter the Alumni Book Club (ABC)—a warm, vibrant community that’s turned “someday” into “right now.”

Designed for graduates of our training programmes, ABC is more than just a reading group. It’s a place where coaches come together to breathe life into the books that once gathered dust, transforming them into living conversations, new ideas, and real impact. The magic? It’s in the sharing.

Each meeting becomes a rich tapestry of voices as members bring their own takeaways from the month’s book—highlighting lines that struck a chord, unpacking ideas they’re testing in their client sessions, and offering new lenses through which to see the text. It’s not about dissecting a book chapter by chapter. It’s about discovering how it lands for each person—and how those insights ripple out into their coaching.

One of the unexpected gifts of ABC is the sense of accountability. Members often say that knowing the club is coming up nudges them to actually read—or at least pick up—the book. But more than that, it encourages them to engage with the content in a deeper, more intentional way. They’re not just reading; they’re experimenting, questioning, and applying.

And perhaps the most cherished part? The relationships. Over time, ABC has become a source of genuine support and camaraderie. It’s a space where coaches feel they can show up as themselves—celebrating successes, voicing doubts, and being held in the safety of a like-minded community. It’s where connection is forged not just through shared books, but shared values and experiences.

For many, ABC has become a highlight of the month: a place to learn, reflect, grow—and simply be in good company.

“I really appreciated how well everything was set up and the excellent facilitation by Gillian and Jayne. The first benefit of this forum was having a deadline that motivated me to get through a book that I would not have otherwise read. The richer value is having the conversation and hearing the perspectives of others. I certainly gained insights beyond those when reading alone. It was also lovely to meet some new people too. I’d heartily recommend it to anyone that wants to expand their reading.” —Shirley

“I decided to join the Alumni Book Club to be held accountable to read a book quicker than I had been. I enjoy reading, however, can always find other things to do! Since joining I have met some amazing new coaches, learnt new ways of coaching and really reflected on what I am doing well / could do better. It’s a great ‘reflective practice’. I really like the fact it’s also adding to my CCEs! Gillian and Jayne have created a nice relaxed and friendly atmosphere that makes you feel very welcome.” —Becky

“I found the Alumni Book Club a fantastic way to keep up to date with the latest thinking in the coaching world. We had the opportunity to hear from the authors of the book and discuss our feedback directly with them. By having a meeting arranged, it provides positive accountability to catch up on reading and discuss/debate topics with fellow coaches in a fun, relaxed environment. Looking forward to the next one!” —Jonathan