The Outdoor and Nature Coaches Handbook: The Complete Guide to Theory, Research and Practice for Professional Coaches

This handbook looks at the Fourth Wave of coaching – ‘in’, ‘with’ and ‘for’ nature. It presents a comprehensive overview and practical set of emerging practices in coaching related to the environment, nature and the climate, and reflects a wider move towards outdoor and nature coaching as an antidote to the over-reliance on digital and AI technologies.

This next book in the acclaimed Coaches’ Handbook Series brings together internationally respected coaching experts and practitioners to share the most up-to-date and evidence-based knowledge. It explains the background to the practice influenced by movement, senses, embodied practice and nature connection across different cultures. It explains the benefits across different coaching methodologies, with a focus on Eco and Blue-Green Psychology, and places the important topic of climate at the centre of coaching individuals and teams. The handbook incorporates a comprehensive set of tools and techniques in order to assist coaches in applying different approaches. For example, how to facilitate deep nature connectedness and biophilia (bringing the outdoors indoors), through the use of metaphor, weather, landscapes and serious nature play. The book concludes with a number of case studies of how outdoor and nature coaching has had positive outcomes across different groups.

Aimed at coach practitioners, their supervisors, trainers and student coaches on accreditation programmes or undertaking training for a certificate in coaching, the book brings to life this vitally important and energising coaching practice.

Jonathan Passmore is a professor at Henley Business School. He has published widely over the past 25 years in leadership and coaching and is listed in the Global Gurus and Thinkers 50 coaching lists. Prior to joining Henley and EZRA, he has worked at PriceWaterhouseCoopers, IBM and OPM as a consultant and in various leadership roles including at CoachHub, EZRA and Embrion.

Paul Jefferies is an independent executive and team coach and business transformation consultant. With 30 years’ experience in leadership with an MBA and PGC from Henley Business School, Paul works with leaders and teams in nature to build systemic awareness and gain insight.

Anna-Marie Watson is a coach, collaborator, author and podcaster with over 25 years’ international experience crafting a dynamic portfolio career. A former British Army Officer and elite endurance athlete, she brings deep expertise across defence, logistics, operational performance and leadership development.

Alex Burn is an independent coach with a fascination for researching the benefits of taking coaching conversations outdoors. She is the co-host of the Outdoor Coach podcast and of Outdoor Coaching Live.