Business Book Review: The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stanier
The Coaching Habit reminds you that the best leaders ask questions. Rather than the sound of your own voice, believe in the potential within others.
My Rating: ★★★★
Length: 159 pages
Publisher: Michael Bungay Stanier
Released: 2016
Key Takeaways for Personal Branding
As Michal Bungay Stanier himself suggests, if The Coaching Habit book were a haiku, it would read:
Tell less and ask more
Your advice is not as good
As you think it is
Bungay Stanier, an award-winning coach, shares the uncomfortable truth for managers. Your solutions are not as valuable as you might think.
The Coaching Habit is a call for all managers to become coaches. To lead without jumping into the ‘rescuer’ mode. The one that wants to provide the answers, offer advice and take everything upon themselves. Instead, work to bring out the potential already within the people you work with.
Bungay Stanier offers seven transformative questions to lead like a coach:
1. The Kickstart Question
What’s on your mind?
2. The AWE Question
And what else?
3. The Focus Question
What’s the real challenge here for you?
4. The Foundation Question
What do you want?
5. The Lazy Question
How can I help?
6. The Strategic Question
If you’re saying yes to this, what are you saying no to?
7. The Learning Question
What was most useful for you?
As leaders, there will be times when decisions must be made and direct feedback given. But, otherwise, keep the ‘Advice Monster’, lurking in the shadows, at bay.
Favourite Quotes
“The essence of coaching lies in helping others and unlocking their potential.”
“A little more asking people questions and a little less telling people what to do.”
“Winston Churchill said that “we shape our buildings; and thereafter they shape us.”"
“The Advice Monster leaps out of the darkness and hijacks the conversation.”
“Get comfortable with silence.”
“When we’re in Rescuer mode, we’re constantly leaping in to solve problems, jumping in to offer advice, taking over responsibilities that others should rightfully keep for themselves.”
“The goal here isn’t to avoid ever providing an answer. But it is to get better at having people find their own answers.”
Bungay Stanier’s The Coaching Habit should be required reading for all leaders. It’s a short and sharp invitation to become a better leader. One who believes the people you lead may know more than you do. It’s a reminder to stay curious at all costs.
The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stanier: Available on Amazon.
