Reviews
As psychotherapists, we
“engage” our patients in relationships in order to help them overcome
life problems. Similarly, in one way or another, most of us have been
“engaged” by our teachers and advisors. Although there are certainly
psychological aspects to these relationships, they differ substantially
from psychotherapy. When considering these differences, psychotherapists
contemplating a journey from the office to the “external world” of
coaching and/or advising clients would do well to consult, You’re On!
Consulting for Peak Performance, by Division 42 colleague Kate F. Hays
and co author Charles H. Brown, Jr.
- for the rest of Michael Cuttler's
review, click
here
If you've ever wondered what it's like to
consult to those who perform under pressure, You're On! is the book for
you. Avoiding the well-trodden path of sports psychology, Hays and Brown
instead present interview excerpts of 24 professionals in the areas of
business, high-risk professions and the performing arts. All of the
interview subjects have more than 10 years of experience and a
"national or international reputation." While the bulk of them
are performing artists - mostly actors, dancers, conductors and musicians
- there are also a few physicians, lawyers and business executives.
In addition, the authors interview 18
consultants who primarily consult with business or "high-risk"
(e.g., military) professionals. The result is an array of perspectives
from various walks of life, with the caveat that most of the subjects are
white males. All participants are identified by pseudonyms in the book.
The material comes alive with extensive
quotes from the interview subjects, who show unexpected insight and
sensitivity at times. "Frederick," an emergency room physician,
states that "the most important tool that you use in your job is your
interpersonal skills." "George," a Special Forces medic and
police sniper, considers that the person he's about to shoot may have
someone who loves him; if he proceeds, he's "taking that human being
away from the other person who loves him."
You're On! describes the type of skills
and knowledge a performance consultant should acquire in order to become
competent and respected. The relevant knowledge is often specific to each
domain, from familiarity with eating disorders (when consulting to ballet
dancers) to expertise in group dynamics (for high-risk professions). Hays
and Brown also explain the unique working conditions that consultants may
encounter in different specialties - for example, the sexist culture in
many high-risk professions or the limited financial means of many
performing artists.
Each chapter ends with a list of
recommendations to consultants (e.g., in the performing arts domain,
"Consultants should have a basic grasp of learning theory and
techniques"). Readers should be aware, however, that many of the
business aspects of consultation, such as marketing and contracts aren't
covered in this book.
Of particular interest, Chapter 9,
"The Microscopic Nightmare of Infinity," explores how stress
affects performers in each field differently. For example, dancers and
musicians learn to cope with the high expectations of the audience, while
a neurosurgeon faces the stress of eight to 10 hours of precision,
life-or-death work.
The final chapters address
"Consultant Efforts That Hinder Performance" (e.g., limited
knowledge, lack of follow-through) and the types of training and
experiences that can provide a helpful background (including the
consultant's own performance experience). Overall, the book provides a
fascinating window into this challenging specialty.
Eric Endlich, Ph.D, is the
clinical services manager at WorkPlace Solutions Employee Assistance
Program in Boston. He has a private practice in Needham, Mass.
originally posted at http://www.nepsy.com/book/0411_ne_book_consult.htm,
