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The Coaching Habit: Summary in 5 Key Points

Written by brefly editorial teamUpdated August 27, 2026
✍️ Michael Bungay Stanier📅 2016📚 Leadership📖 272 pages → 2 min brief
The brief
The Kickstart Question helps coaches get straight to the point by asking 'What's on your mind?' to clarify the coachee's priorities and focus the conversation.
The AWE Question 'And what else?' encourages coachees to share more information, explore different perspectives, and uncover hidden insights that inform better solutions.
The Focus Question 'What's the real challenge here?' helps coaches and coachees identify the underlying problem, rather than just addressing symptoms or surface-level issues.
The Lazy Question 'How can I help you?' shifts the responsibility from the coach to the coachee, empowering them to take ownership of their challenges and find their own solutions.
The Strategic Question 'If you're saying yes to this, what are you saying no to?' helps coachees consider the trade-offs and priorities involved in making a decision or taking action.

Key ideas worth keeping

Effective coaching is about asking the right questions, not having all the answers.
Small changes in conversation can lead to significant improvements in outcomes.
Coaching is a skill that can be developed with practice and intention.

Who should read the full book

This book is essential reading for managers, leaders, and anyone in a helping profession who wants to improve their coaching skills. If you're not in a position to apply these skills regularly, you may find some concepts less relevant.

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