The Coaching Habit: 8 key ideas
The core ideas of The Coaching Habit, each in under a minute, written in our own words. Want the full depth? Get the book.
- IDEA 1 OF 8
Coaching means asking more
Bungay Stanier argues that managers can become better coaches by saying less and asking more.
He offers seven short questions to replace the urge to give quick advice. The idea is that people learn more when they find answers themselves.
- IDEA 2 OF 8
Start with what's on your mind
The kickstart question, what's on your mind, opens conversations and lets people choose what matters.
It focuses on real concerns. In his view, letting people begin with what worries or excites them makes the talk more useful than following the manager's agenda.
- IDEA 3 OF 8
Ask and what else
The AWE question, and what else, encourages people to share more ideas.
First answers are rarely the only ones. In his view, asking this again gives people time to think further, so they often come up with better ideas than their first ones.
- IDEA 4 OF 8
Find the real challenge
The focus question, what's the real challenge here for you, helps people identify the core issue.
It avoids solving the wrong problem. In his view, many people describe the first problem they see, and this question helps them find what is truly important.
- IDEA 5 OF 8
Ask what they want
The foundation question, what do you want, clarifies goals.
Understanding wants improves conversations. In his view, when a person says clearly what they want, the talk can move towards a solution instead of drifting around.
- IDEA 6 OF 8
Ask how to help
The lazy question, how can I help, invites people to state what support they need.
It prevents doing unnecessary work. In his view, asking it lets the person ask for exactly what they need, so the manager does not guess or take on too much.
- IDEA 7 OF 8
Consider trade-offs
The strategic question asks what you are saying no to if you say yes to this.
It clarifies priorities. In his view, saying yes to one thing always means saying no to something else, and this question makes that cost visible.
- IDEA 8 OF 8
Reflect on learning
The learning question, what was most useful for you, helps people remember lessons.
Reflection deepens learning. In his view, people who say what they found useful are more likely to remember it and use it again.
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