#156: Michael Bungay Stanier, Founder of Box of Crayons — Be curious

Picture this: Someone on your team comes to you with a question about how to approach a problem theyr’e facing. What do you do? If you’re like most leaders, your first instinct is to dispense some advice. And that’s understandable! You’re sitting in that leadership role precisely because you’ve got all kinds of great wisdom and insight to share. But according to today’s guest, that approach can backfire. Michael Bungay Stanier is a bestselling author and the founder of a company called Box of Crayons that equips leaders to become better coaches. He’s on a mission to help leaders move away from giving advice and instead leverage the power of curiosity to draw out their team. For Michael, curiosity is a leadership superpower that helps you find better ideas, pinpoint the right problems, and get more from your teammates. And this conversation is jam-packed with practical ways to help you do ALL that. You’ll also learn: One three-word question that will change the way you coach your team The three different kinds of “Advice Monsters” (and how to tame yours!) How to use the power of silence The one thing you need to do in a difficult working relationship A practical framework to navigate a big company leadership transition One specific question that will help you dig deeper in any relationship Three principles to improve your communication skills Take your learning further. Get proven leadership advice from these (free!) resources: The How Leaders Lead App: A vast library of 90-second leadership lessons to stay sharp on the go Daily Insight Emails: One small (but powerful!) leadership principle to focus on each day Whichever you choose, you can be sure you’ll get the trusted leadership advice you need to advance your career, develop your team, and grow your business.