Book Review: The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stanier
As an avid reader with a keen interest in leadership and personal development, I’ve always been on the lookout for books that can enhance my coaching skills. So when I stumbled upon The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stanier, I was immediately intrigued. The promise of turning coaching into a regular, informal part of day-to-day interactions resonated with me, as did the idea of creating greater impact with less effort.
Stanier’s work is centered around seven essential coaching questions, designed to unlock potential in both the coach and the person being coached. The book’s style is witty and conversational, making it approachable and easy to digest. Each chapter escalates your understanding, layering humor over valuable insights, and by the end, I felt empowered to implement the concepts practically.
Positives
One of the standout aspects of this book is Stanier’s insistence on the power of questions—particularly the AWE Question: “And what else?” This, along with the Kickstart Question and others, truly gives you tools to provoke deeper thought and exploration. Many readers, including John W. Pearson, praised this technique for its ability to uncover underlying issues and encourage self-discovery. I found this approach incredibly refreshing; it’s less about telling people what to do and more about guiding them to their own realizations.
Another major positive is the book’s versatility. Robyn’s review highlights how the methods can be applied across various cultural and professional landscapes, which I’ve experienced firsthand in my own coaching conversations. The principles in The Coaching Habit genuinely transcend boundaries, making it suitable for anyone in a leadership role, from new managers to seasoned executives.
Drawbacks
However, not everything was perfect. A few readers did express that while the conversational tone made the book engaging, it occasionally sacrificed depth for humor. A recurrent criticism I’ve observed is regarding the book’s perceived value for money. Some, like Ahmed Gahman, felt that while the conversation techniques were good, other coaching models, such as the GROW model, might offer more structured frameworks. I can see this perspective, especially for those looking for a more traditional or formulaic approach.
Another drawback is that while Stanier effectively highlights the importance of questioning, some readers found themselves wishing for more examples of how to tackle complex coaching scenarios. Though the book does touch on potential pitfalls, the integration of additional frameworks could have enriched the reader’s toolkit.
Overall Impact
The overarching message of The Coaching Habit is to make coaching a natural, every-day occurrence instead of a formalized event. This is a goal I wholeheartedly agree with and have started embedding in my own interactions. According to the book’s description, coaching can indeed become a ‘regular, informal part of your day,’ allowing managers and teams to work less hard and have more impact, and I found this to absolutely ring true.
Having finished this book, I’m now enthusiastic about implementing its lessons. I’ve begun to ask more potent questions and have noticed significant shifts in my conversations. The ease of application is one of Stanier’s key strengths—he frames coaching as an achievable skill rather than an intimidating obligation.
Verdict
In conclusion, The Coaching Habit is an excellent resource for anyone looking to enhance their coaching skills in a practical, easily digestible format. While it has its drawbacks—mainly in its depth and perceived value—its strengths in question-based coaching far outweigh these shortcomings. I wholeheartedly recommend it to leaders and managers seeking a fresh perspective and actionable strategies in coaching. It not only informs but actively transforms how you think about and engage in coaching.
So, if you’re ready to become a more impactful coach while also lightening your workload, grab a copy of The Coaching Habit. It is undoubtedly a valuable addition to any reader’s professional toolkit.