Meet the man behind The Coaching Habit!

Whatever benefits AI and technology may bring us, there is nothing quite like meeting someone in person.

Yesterday, I met Michael Bungay Stanier in person. For many years I have been inspired by him and I often recommend his wonderful book The Coaching Habit. Before I read it, I struggled to find a coaching book that was practical, digestible and insightful and one I could wholeheartedly recommend to my client leaders who want to be more effective coaches to their teams.

Twenty-five years on from being a rookie coach, I still find myself returning to his excellent questions.

• Ask one question at a time
• Cut the Intro and ask the question
• Use the AWE question: And What Else?
• Be at ease with silence
• Listen to the answer and acknowledge the answers you get
• I particularly like asking a client the question: What’s your best thinking on this? To draw out their own thoughts on an issue or challenge.

Just like Michael, the book is insightful, inspiring and a delight to read.

Michael outlines a way to coach which helps tame our Advice Monster tendencies and allows the client’s own insights to be unearthed and acknowledged.

He also introduces us to the concept of “foggy-fiers” – responses that cloud or divert us from uncovering the real issue. Common examples are grappling with generalisations that a client uses or over-indexing on the first issue raised, rather than exploring further to get to the heart of the problem.

So, here’s the link to Michael’s The Coaching Habit which would be valuable in any leader’s kitbag  https://amzn.to/3JHIZdK Two million people have found it useful so far. I’d love to hear your thoughts on it.