_It takes courage to ask a question rather than offer up advice..... $The Coaching Habit is$ a practical and inspiring book_  Bren Brown, author of _Dare to Lead._

_Wall Street Journal_ Bestseller, _The Coaching Habit_ aims to make coaching an everyday way of working. As author of _Drive_ Daniel Pink says in his testimonial: \[The Coaching Habit will\] help you provide more effective support to your employees and co-workers, and you may find that you become the ultimate coach to yourself.

Here, in brief, are key lessons from our interview with bestselling author Michael Bungay Stanier:

**Beware the Advice Monster.** As soon as somebody starts talking, your Advice Monster goes _This is brilliant, Im going to add to this conversation by telling them stuff._ But when you leap in quickly, a couple of things happen. One, you might start solving the wrong problem. Two, you are training others that you are the answer to all their problems.

**Try this:** Go a minute without jumping in and giving advice. Its really difficult. Take a breath, notice the Advice Monster, then, before you tell them your advice, ask another question.

**Here is the behaviour you are after** : Can you stay curious a bit longer? Can you rush to action and advice giving a bit more slowly?

**This helps:** Dont think of yourself becoming a coach, but being more coach-like.

*  **The kickstart question** : _Whats on Your Mind?_ Its a good opening question that works.
  *  **AWE question** : _And, what else?_ Keeps the Advice Monster at bay for a bit longer.
  *  **The focus question:**_Whats the _real_ challenge here _for you?__ The person solving the problem will learn, grow, and take responsibility for the problem.
  *  **The foundation question** : _What do you want?_ Ask with a genuine sense of curiosity. Its a self-management tool too. When you are stressed or wound up, try asking yourself _What do I want?_
  *  **The lazy question:**_How can I help?_ Instead of jumping in with advice, it forces the person presenting the problem to make a clearer request. Its a good question for replying to long emails.  _What do you want from me here?_ Send.
  *  **The strategic question:**_If youre saying yes to this, what are you saying no to?_ This makes the opportunity cost real. You want to ensure everyone is doing more great work. Great work requires commitment.
  *  **The learning question** : _Whats been most useful for you?_ One of your most powerful roles is to be a teacher, and people learn when they reflect.

Seven essential questions for leaders:

**Recommended book?** Bill Bryson, _The Short History of Nearly Everything_ , as well as Donald Horne, _An Imaginary Life_. Its pretty magical.

**If you could co-author a book with anyone, who would that be, and what would the book title be?** Actually, I did talk to Bren Brown about co-authoring a book before she became famous. Theres someone I am doing preliminary collaboration stuff with - Dr Jason Fox. Weve been doing some podcasting that hasnt been released yet. It would not be an ordinary title. It would be similar to The Heartbreaking Book of Staggering Genius.

**Whats a great bit of advice you could give?** Hold no regrets for your past. Move on from the past. And, focus. I suffer from SOS, the shiny object syndrome. At $Michaels company$ Box of Crayons, holding focus on offering practical coaching skills for everybody has been revolutionary for our company.

**Whats been your lowest moment, and how did you recover?** I mostly have this incredibly robust sense of self. Ive got stories of catastrophes and failures, but they were never low moments.

**How do you relax?** I read a lot, it depends on the book, but Im a fast reader so Im probably reading 50-100 books a year. Also, my wife has UAS  Ukulele Acquisition Syndrome, so I also play ukulele with her.

**Whats a fun fact thats not widely known about you?** I finished law school being sued for defamation by one of my lecturers during my law degree. I, and a group of others, complained about the way this lecturer was teaching a certain point of law using an example about a woman being raped. The lecturer eventually dropped the lawsuit.

**Whats the secret of success?** Be different. I have a bias around this, because it worked for me; I was a Rhodes Scholar, and when I went for the interview, all the other applicants were in a blue suit and white shirt. I had long blonde hair and a purple suit. I was either going to come last by a long way, or they were going to bet on difference.

**Whats a prediction for 2025?** Every five year plan I have ever made has been so utterly wrong, Im not good at predicting the future. But, I will continue to be happily married.

Getting to know Michael Bungay Stanier - our Great Eight questions:

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Great ideas from The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stanier

Lessons from interview with bestselling author Michael Bungay Stanier

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Stay Inspired

Great ideas from The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stanier

Lessons from interview with bestselling author Michael Bungay Stanier

Keep informedStay Inspired

Keep informed
Stay Inspired