Coaching is being transformed. As low-cost coaching platforms and AI develop, coaches need to differentiate themselves to survive and thrive. Does that mean ironing out the wrinkles, gaining more badges and credentials? Perhaps following rules just makes us more human robots.

The truth is that you don’t need to be a perfect coach to be a transformational presence; often, your own brand of human frailty is exactly what the world – and your client – needs right now. Mature coaches can respect the rules but not be bound by them when they tap into their internal wisdom.

Karen Foy, BA, MSc is a Master Certified Coach with over 20 years’ experience, and a certified coach educator, mentor and supervisor. She has recently retired as the Programme Director of accredited coaching programs at Henley Business School, where she is still a visiting tutor and Honorary Fellow.​

Breaking the Coaching Code is an incredibly uplifting and affirming text for coaches, reconnecting the reader with the heart and soul of coaching. Karen Foy shines a light on what makes us human and how, as coaches, this is the essence of the value we bring to our clients.

Professor Rebecca Jones, Professor in Coaching and Behavioural Change, Henley Business School

This book provides an important provocation for any coach seeking to develop their practice. While accepting that all coaches need to know the foundations of our craft, Karen Foy reminds us that ultimately, we will need to face ourselves and take responsibility for the way we work. We need to question what we have been taught, break the rules (or at least some of them) and find our own way. This book provides some practical ideas and useful reflections to help coaches take the next steps on this journey. It is compelling and inspiring, with a wealth of references and perspectives for further reading. It is a ‘must- have’ on any coach’s bookshelf.

Laurence Barrett, author of A Jungian Approach to Coaching: The Theory and Practice of Turning Leaders into People, and visiting faculty at INSEAD, Henley Business School and the Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education

This book captures what makes coaching so powerful: a warm space where you feel safe, seen and gently encouraged, with quiet wisdom, to rest and reflect. Karen’s narrative is gentle, witty and sprinkled with a touch of pixie dust. Reading it feels as though it was written with you in mind.

Lorenzo Todorow di San Giorgio, Head of Executive Coaching & Faculty Member, University College London School of Management Global MBA

Karen has achieved something quite special with this book. It is a beautiful read. *Breaking the Coaching Code gives those of us entering the second half of life as a coach something really meaningful to reflect on. Karen truly demonstrates the art of partnership in the way this book is written, taking a number of key coaching themes and dilemmas all of us ponder on as coaches, offering something of herself and her own journey, and then asking you to consider the same. Karen encourages us all to think beyond the coaching competencies and to consider how we really show up as coaches, beautifully describing the art of coaching and its sometimes challenging juxtaposition with the science of coaching. I can’t recommend it enough.*

Sarah Leach MSc, PCC, Executive Coach, Coach Educator, Facilitator & Author

Karen’s unassuming voice captures the soul of coaching. Humanity and humility shine through her being as she walks alongside us in service of our global profession and artful practice. To move into coaching beyond that which is formulaic or coded into AI, sit with the nuggets of steadfast wisdom generously shared. This is unbound coaching, future- fit for human and system complexity.

Kirsty Knowles, Founder/ Owner of Think Being®, ICF & EMCC Coach, Facilitator, Coach Educator, Mentor Coach, Consultant Director of Professional Development & Board Member UK ICF

The book masterfully weaves radical honesty, humour and deep insight to reveal how embracing our humanity is the gateway to truly impactful coaching.

Ana- Maria Chirila, Notary Public, MSc, Certified Executive Coach, UKICF Board Member

Through a combination of stories, honesty and examples, Karen breaks open the coaching code. She challenges us all to move beyond rigid rules and techniques towards radical honesty and genuine connection with the humans we work with. This is a must read for coaches at any stage in their career.

Claire Pedrick MCC, Author, Simplifying Coaching

In a profession increasingly filled with expert advice and top tips, Karen Foy’s book is a welcome breath of fresh air. A masterful blend of humility and wisdom, and a gentle guide to all of us imperfect humans in our journey to being better able to support other human beings with the challenges they bring to coaching.

Aboodi Shabi PCC, Lecturer in Coaching and Behaviour Change, Henley Business School

Part 1: Radical Self-Honesty

Introduction

Singing the Chorus: Setting the context for the book from a personal perspective

Chapter 1: Why Transcend the Rules?

A personal reflection that brings to life the concept of first and second stage learning and the rationale for becoming one’s own version of a coach not following the prescripts of others.

Chapter 2: Why do you coach?

A deeper look at what we are trying to achieve with coaching and an honest reflection for the reader on their motivation for engaging in it. ‘Whose needs are we serving?’

Chapter 3: Dropping the Performance

Following on from discoveries about why I coach, this chapter will help coaches move away from the trap of feeling the need to ‘add value’, to increase their presence and forget about performing. Giving up reaching to be a good coach to become a great one.

Chapter 4: The myth of the objective observer

A chance for the coach to break free from the delusion of being a passive observer in the coaching conversation to draw on their thoughts, feelings and intuitions in service of the client.

Chapter 5: What does this mean for your coaching mindset?

How all of this awareness impacts the coaching relationship and a chance to gather insights for the exploration of partnership. Where are you now?

Part 2: Curious acceptance of difference

Chapter 6: Building a brave space for exploration.

Finding your way to build a trusting partnership that can withstand radical honesty and change.

Chapter 7: Bird-Watching for Coaches

How can you sit alongside someone and observe their world, beliefs and behaviours with curiosity, respect and wonder?

Chapter 8: Fearing the Unknown

Exploring our fear of offending through ignorance and finding a way to connect with respect and mutual curiosity.

Part 3: The Pathway to Co-creation

Chapter 9 : Transcending the rules in practice

Putting rule-breaking to work. Your call to draw on your courage to apply your learning and get comfortable with discomfort.

Chapter 10: Getting to the heart of the matter

A new look at beginnings in coaching that will support you to get to the conversation that is needed not presented.

Chapter 11: Following the Thread

A focus on the concept of presence in coaching from the perspective of remaining present to what is happening in the conversation.

Chapter 12: Coaching the Person not the Task

A reminder that getting to know the person and their world is a key element that makes the difference between AI and human coaching. Trusting yourself to work intuitively as a role model for those you work with.

Chapter 13: Listening for What?

This is a focus on listening from a more global perspective, listening to self, listening to the other, and listening for the nuances in the relationship. Where is your attention?

Chapter 14: If you are not evoking awareness you might as well give up

Blasting the myth of the powerful question. You don’t need to find the question; the question will find you.

Chapter 15: What if they don’t want an action plan?

A challenge to the concept of needing to deliver a well packaged ‘to do’ list. Touching another human soul doesn’t always come with a SMART goal

Chapter 16: Developing Professional & Ethical Maturity

Facing the reality that there are no black and white answers to ethical dilemmas, that’s why they are dilemmas. How can you build your confidence muscle to face them?

Chapter 17: The end of the beginning

Thoughts on continuing to develop and grow as a coach

FORMAT / ISBN / PUBLICATION DATE / RRP

Paperback / 9781788608282 / October 28, 2025 / £19.99

Hardback / 9781788608275 / October 28, 2025 / £29.99

Ebook / 9781788608299 / October 27, 2025 / £9.99

Paperback and eBook Bundle / £22.49

Karen Foy

Karen Foy is a Master Certified Coach with over 20 years’ experience, and a certified coach, mentor and supervisor and educator. Karen holds a BA Psychology from the University of Sheffield and an MSc Coaching Psychology from the University of East London. She has recently retired as the Programme Director of accredited coaching programmes at Henley Business School, where she is still a visiting tutor and Honorary Fellow.