The Coaching Habit
Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever
Michael Bungay Stanier
In Michael Bungay Stanier’s The Coaching Habit, coaching becomes a regular, informal part of your day so managers and their teams can work less hard and have more impact.
Drawing on years of experience training more than 10,000 busy managers from around the globe in practical, everyday coaching skills, Bungay Stanier reveals how to unlock your peoples’ potential. He unpacks seven essential coaching questions to demonstrate how—by saying less and asking more—you can develop coaching methods that produce great results.
- Get straight to the point in any conversation with The Kickstart Question
- Stay on track during any interaction with The Awe Question
- Save hours of time for yourself with The Lazy Question, and hours of time for others with The Strategic Question
- Get to the heart of any interpersonal or external challenge with The Focus Question and The Foundation Question
- Finally, ensure others find your coaching as beneficial as you do with The Learning Question
A fresh, innovative take on the traditional how-to manual, the book combines insider information with research based in neuroscience and behavioral economics, together with interactive training tools to turn practical advice into practiced habits. Witty and conversational, The Coaching Habit takes your work—and your workplace—from good to great.
Reviews
“Michael Bungay Stanier distills the essentials of coaching to seven core questions. And if you master his simple yet profound technique, you’ll get a twofer. You’ll provide more effective support to your employees and co-workers. And you may find that you become the ultimate coach for yourself.”
Daniel H. Pink author of To Sell Is Human and Drive
“It takes courage to ask a question rather than offer up advice, provide an answer, or unleash a solution. In this practical and inspiring book, Michael shares seven transformative questions that can make a difference in how we lead and support.”
Brené Brown author of Rising Strong and Daring Greatly
“This book is full of practical, useful, and interesting questions, ideas, and tools that will guide any leader trying to be better.”
Dave Ulrich co-author of The Why of Work and The Leadership Code
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“Michael’s intelligence, wit, articulateness, and dedication to the craft of coaching shine forth in this brilliant how-to manual for anyone called to assist others. Even after four decades of my own experience in this arena, The Coaching Habit has provided me with great takeaways.”
David Allen author of Getting Things Done
“A sharp, habit-forming leadership manual… Bungay Stanier writes with verve, effectively incorporating humor, surprise, and parables.… The book tailors its organization and length to time-pressed readers, who can finish it easily in a couple of hours or in 15-minute increments.”
Kirkus Review
“The Coaching Habit is a succinct and practical handbook for getting the best from others and yourself.”
Nir Eyal author of Hooked
“Concise and compelling.”
Bob Sutton author of Scaling Up Excellence
“Amid a sea of coaching books that drone on with the same old, overused conceptual frameworks, there is a gem of hope. The Coaching Habit is a treasure trove of practical wisdom that takes a timeless pursuit—to turn every manager into a coach—and breaks it down into a simple set of everyday habits. If you are ready to take your leadership to the next level, you need this book.”
Jessica Amortegui senior director, learning and development, Logitech
“There are many coaching books out there that end up on the bookshelf half read. Michael Bungay Stanier’s The Coaching Habit engages you from start to finish. A simple read that is bold and direct, relatable and real, this book will change the way you communicate with colleagues at work and family at home. If you want to read one book on coaching that will resonate with you quickly and that is not overwhelming, choose this one.”
Johanne McNally Myers VP human resources, Tim Hortons
“Among a plethora of books, studies, and op-ed pieces about the importance of coaching and how to execute this most critical of development interventions well, it’s easy to understand why students and practitioners of the craft feel confused or overwhelmed by the array of approaches, frameworks, and systems extolled as ‘the right way.’ Michael Bungay Stanier has expertly cut through this confusion with his new book in a manner that is simple to understand, realistic in its intention, and ultimately effective to apply. I believe this book will establish itself as a powerful and useful toolset for the professional coach, the student learner, and the people manager alike.”
Stuart Crabb director of learning and development, Facebook
“This is not just a book; this is the voice in your head, the person that sits on your shoulder—guiding you to greatness. Being a great coach is more than skill; it’s a mindset, a way of being. Michael has a remarkable way of delivering that message through artful storytelling, practical examples, and proven techniques. A must-have book for the coach who truly wants to make a difference.”
Sinéad Condon head of global performance enablement, CA Technologies
“Where others can overcomplicate the purpose and practice of coaching, Michael Bungay Stanier provides a practical and unintimidating approach to this essential habit of great leaders. He succinctly articulates the research behind the art of respectful inquiry and its role in fostering an authentic partnership among colleagues who are committed to doing meaningful work together. The Coaching Habit is a thoroughly enjoyable read that immediately inspired me to adopt new habits.”
Dana Woods CEO, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
“The magic of leadership occurs in daily conversations. With The Coaching Habit, Michael Bungay Stanier gives managers an extremely simple yet powerful tool (just seven questions!) to help them coach their teams to greatness, each and every day.”
Andrew Collier head of leadership development, Nestlé
“‘Fantastic… and Where was this book when I needed it?’ are the first thoughts popping into my head after reading this book. I’ve read countless books on leadership and coaching over my career but few brought it all together like Michael Bungay Stanier’s. I love the concepts of keeping it simple and practice, practice, practice, which are key to building your coaching habit. Michael makes what some leaders see as complex a simple process, whether you are an experienced or new people leader. Definitely a must-read book.”
Monique Bateman SVP, TD Bank Group
“The Coaching Habit is the essence of practical coaching for busy managers. No filler, no abstract theory, no tedious stories. Just everyday, practical tools so that you can coach in ten minutes or less.”
Melissa Daimler head of learning and organizational development, Twitter
“Bungay Stanier has it right. We are creatures of habit, and from our habits we create ourselves, our lives, and the world around us. The Coaching Habit is a manual for applying the power of habit to the power of coaching to accomplish more with and through others. Do not read this book. Practice it. Apply it. Keep it on your desk and build your coaching habit.”
Michele Milan CEO of executive programs, Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto
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MICHAEL BUNGAY STANIER is a leading coaching expert, renowned keynote speaker, and the founder and senior partner of Box of Crayons, a company that helps managers and leaders coach in ten minutes or less.
When he’s not leading workshops that help time-crunched managers coach in ten minutes or less, Michael shares his thought leadership (and his playful sense of humor) with others through his many writings and publications. His published books include Do More Great Work, which has sold nearly 100,000 copies, and End Malaria, a collection of essays from leading thinkers around the globe raising funds for Malaria No More (and hitting #2 on Amazon.com). He has also been featured or published in Fast Company, the Financial Times, the Globe and Mail, and has appeared on CTV‘s Breakfast Television.
Before Box of Crayons, Michael spent time inventing products and services as part of an innovation agency, and worked as a management consultant specializing in large-scale change, writing the global vision for GlaxoSmithKline, among other things.
A Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University, Michael was named the first Canadian Coach of the Year in 2006.
ISBN 978-0978440749
$18.95 CAD • $16.95 USD
Published February 29, 2016
5 x 7 •
242 Pages
Paperback, ebook, audio
