Coaching Habit | Stay Curious a Bit Longer

Quick Summary

The Coaching Habit demystifies coaching by providing a practical guide to effective coaching techniques, centered around the art of asking powerful questions. This approach leads to meaningful conversations that unlock human potential.

The Coaching Habit

In The Coaching Habit, Michael Bungay Stanier delves into the transformative power of coaching as a leadership style.

Stanier's insightful approach reframes coaching as more than just a management tool; it becomes a philosophy that empowers individuals and cultivates growth within organizations.

The essence of coaching is learning, and the essence of learning is curiosity. - Stanier

By honing the skill of inquiry, leaders can unlock deeper insights, challenge assumptions and inspire meaningful change.

Change the questions, and you change the conversation. Change the conversation, and you change the relationship. Change the relationship, and you change the results. - Stanier

Stanier's emphasis on asking powerful questions serves as a cornerstone of effective coaching.

He encourages leaders to resist the urge to jump in with advice or solutions too quickly, allowing space for deeper exploration and discovery.

Stanier believes that extending this curiosity - what he calls staying curious just a bit longer - can lead to richer insights and more impactful conversations.

Wait a little bit more. Do less, and do the one thing that you want to be great at: Ask one more question. - Stanier

Stanier shares seven essential questions that serve as the foundation for effective coaching conversations:

1. The Kickstart Question: This question, "What's on your mind?" serves as a simple yet powerful opener to engage in meaningful dialogue and uncover the real issues at hand.

2. The Awe Question: Asking "And what else?" encourages deeper exploration and expands perspectives, leading to richer insights and solutions.

3. The Focus Question: By inquiring, "What's the real challenge here for you?", leaders can help individuals identify and prioritize key issues, facilitating clarity and focus.

4. The Foundation Question: "What do you want?" prompts individuals to articulate their desired outcomes, fostering accountability and goal alignment.

5. The Lazy Question: "How can I help?" empowers individuals to take ownership of their challenges while offering support and guidance as needed.

6. The Strategic Question: "If you're saying yes to this, what are you saying no to?" encourages thoughtful reflection on priorities and trade-offs, guiding decision-making and resource allocation.

7. The Learning Question: Finally, "What was most useful or valuable for you?" promotes reflection and learning, reinforcing progress and growth.

Through engaging anecdotes and practical examples, Stanier illustrates how by adopting a coach-like mindset, leaders can foster a culture of collaboration and innovation.

Why It Matters

While leaders often tell us that they feel they don't have time to coach, we encourage them to consider that - in fact - they do not have time not to coach!

It's important to overcome the misconception that leaders have to have all the answers or tell people what to do.

The real power in being a coach is in the questions you ask rather than the advice you give. This approach empowers individuals to take ownership of their actions and outcomes. - Stanier

Rather than being the sole problem-solver, leaders can empower their teams to find their own solutions.

Stanier's focus on asking the right questions and staying curious opens up honest conversations, fostering trust and collaboration.

In addition to helping to create a culture of autonomy and accountability within the organization, building a habit of coaching as a leader creates a workplace where everyone feels heard and valued.

That's because when leaders adopt Stanier's approach, they prioritize listening over directing. Leaders can thereby create an environment where everyone's voice is heard.

This fosters a sense of belonging and inclusion, making employees feel valued and understood in the workplace.

Finally, navigating a rapidly evolving business landscape, leaders need to encourage innovation.

We need to let go of the thinking that got us to where we are today so that we can create the future we want to see. - Stanier

By encouraging a culture of experimentation and learning, leaders can foster creativity and drive innovation within their organizations.

How to Apply It

Practice Curiosity: As leaders, let's cultivate a habit of curiosity and active listening. By focusing on asking open-ended questions, we can encourage exploration and discovery.

Be Present: Let's prioritize presence and mindfulness during coaching conversations. Create a safe and supportive space for individuals to express themselves authentically.

Empower Through Inquiry: Let's shift from providing solutions to asking questions that empower individuals to find their own answers and take ownership of their growth and development.

Bottom Line

By embracing Michael Bungay Stanier's coaching principles, leaders can cultivate a culture of empowerment and innovation, driving meaningful change and success in today's dynamic business environments.

When you adopt the habit of coaching, you empower others to take ownership of their growth and success. - Stanier