The Coaching Habit; say less, ask more & change the way you lead forever.
Author: Michael Bungay Stanier
What is the book about as a whole?
This book is about helping leaders use the “coaching leadership style,” proven to be the style that can increase a leader’s effectiveness in helping people grow and thus help the company grow.
What is being said in detail, and how?
The author offered 7 essential coaching questions that can be used during informal or formal coaching conversations as short as 10 minutes. Each question serves a purpose, and it gives examples and our resistance to using the question.
Is the book true, in whole or in part?
I think there is a lot of truth to what the book is trying to communicate. It is easy for leaders to take on their subordinate’s work or become the bottleneck. It talks about leaders' tendency to rescue the employees or want to feel capable and superior. As a result, employees are not growing in their capacity, and the company's growth suffers. Leaders can train their team to become more capable by coaching the team.
Why does the author think it is important to know these things?
The author claims that leaders don’t ask enough questions, and leaders are tempted to be advice givers. The world needs more coaches that help people grow rather than advise givers, where most advice is ignored.
Impressions
The book was an easy read. I was able to read through the book in one sitting. The reflection question at the end of each chapter was thought-provoking. It was easy to understand but challenging to apply. It takes will and effort to think through the framework and do something about it.
Who Should Read It?
Leaders, coaches, parents, and anyone who wants to see others grow.
How the Book changed me (thoughts, ideas, behavior)
This book provided me with additional questions for my own personal growth. As a result of this book, I am adding a question to my end-of-the-day journaling, “what was useful for me in today’s work?” I often feel I walked away from the day feeling tired and exhausted but unaccomplished. There is something to be learned each day, and if I take the time to ask myself questions, I can walk away each day having learned something that benefited me.
My Top 3 Quotes
1. think less about what your habit can do for you and more about how this new habit will help a person or people you care about.
2. building a habit requires: a reason, a trigger, a micro-habit, effective practice, and a plan
3. Ask one question at a time.
Get the Book: Apple Books / Amazon / Amazon Kindle
