Book Review : The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stanier

This book is not about coaching, even though it helps in learning leadership. This is my next book choice for this year's reading list. by Michael Bungay Stanier, titled "The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever." Coaching is an essential but underutilized leadership style, as highlighted by Daniel Goleman. Michael Bungay Stanier's work, including the Coaching Habit, emphasizes that coaching is simple and impactful.

Who Should Read This Book?  

This book is ideal for:  

• New managers looking to develop strong leadership skills.  
• Experienced managers facing challenges and seeking better strategies.  
• Mentors and coaches who want to improve their guidance techniques.

The author refers to an article from the Harvard Business Review, which states that coaching is one of the six leadership styles. However, many leaders avoid coaching their teams, often citing a lack of time as an excuse. 

Effective coaching is about empowering employees, fostering their growth, and improving long-term team performance. Many managers struggle with coaching because they focus on giving advice rather than guiding employees toward self-sufficiency.

Michael Bungay Stanier’s The Coaching Habit emphasizes that coaching should be a daily habit, built through short, impactful conversations rather than long formal sessions. The book introduces seven key questions to guide effective coaching:

1. The Kickstart Question – "What's on your mind?"

• Helps initiate meaningful conversations.
• Encourages openness and direct communication.
• Prevents jumping to solutions too quickly.

2. The AWE Question – "And what else?"

• Encourages deeper exploration of thoughts.
• Avoids premature conclusions.
• Demonstrates patience and curiosity.

3. The Focus Question – "What's the real challenge here for you?"

•  Identifies the core issue rather than surface-level problems.
• Personalizes the problem to the individual’s perspective.
• Promotes clarity in decision-making.

4. The Foundation Question – "What do you want?"

•  Helps uncover true desires and goals.
•  Encourages self-awareness.
•  Creates a strong foundation for the coaching conversation.

5. The Lazy Question – "How can I help?"

• Provides specific, relevant support.
• Empowers individuals to express their needs.
• Prevents assumptions about what help is needed.

6. The Strategic Question – "If you’re saying yes to this, what are you saying no to?"

• Highlights tradeoffs in decision-making.
• Encourages prioritization of commitments.
• Promotes mindful choices regarding time and resources.

7. The Learning Question – "What was most useful for you?"

• Encourages reflection and insight.
• Reinforces learning by summarizing key takeaways.
• Provides a constructive way to close conversations.

By consistently practicing these seven coaching questions, leaders can transform workplace dynamics, boost productivity, and create a culture of engagement, empowerment, and self-sufficiency. By refining coaching skills and engaging in reflective practices, leaders can improve team performance, drive growth, and sustain long-term results. The book provides actionable techniques to transform leadership styles and create a coaching habit for long-term success.