BTB168: Michael Bungay Stanier, Author of The Coaching Habit, on Coaching, Leadership, and Better Conversations

Welcome back to Before the Bestseller. It’s 2026, and we’re starting the year with a rockstar author and one of the most influential voices in modern leadership and coaching, Michael Bungay Stanier. Michael is the author of The Coaching Habit, a global bestseller with over a million copies sold, along with Do More Great Work and The Advice Trap. He’s a Rhodes Scholar, a Thinkers50 Coaching Award winner, and the host of the Change Signal podcast, known for helping leaders turn everyday conversations into moments that actually move people forward.

In this episode, we get into why giving advice is often the least helpful thing we can do, even when it’s coming from a good place. Michael breaks down the idea of the Advice Monster, the habits that keep us jumping in too quickly, and why the first problem someone brings to you is rarely the real one. We talk about the power of listening, staying curious longer, and how a few well-placed questions can completely change team meetings, feedback conversations, and leadership dynamics. Michael also walks through several of the core questions from The Coaching Habit, including “What’s on your mind,” “What else,” and “What’s the real challenge here for you,” and why reflection plays such a critical role in learning.

There’s a reason The Coaching Habit continues to be recommended by leaders, teams, and organizations around the world. In this conversation, Michael unpacks the thinking behind the book and the questions that changed how people approach leadership, feedback, and everyday conversations. Tune in to hear Michael Bungay Stanier walk through the ideas that have shaped one of the most widely read leadership books of the last decade.

Visit mbsworks.shop to access the special Coaching Habit 10-year anniversary experience, including a free entry level and bonus resources. 

Visit mbs.works to learn more about Michael and his books. 

Check out Michael's books here: https://a.co/d/0iYLB60v

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