This post is part of the đź“– The Coaching Habit series.


Today, I am reading a new section from The AWE Question chapter of the book The Coaching Habit written by Author, Michael Bungay Stanier.

Info! đź’¬
By reading this book The Coaching Habit, by Michael Bungay, coaching becomes a regular, informal part of your day. You can work less hard and have more impact. Get straight to the point in any conversation with The Kickstart Question. Stay on track during any interaction with The Awe Question. Save hours of time for yourself with The Lazy Question, and hours of time for others with The Strategic Question. Get to the heart of any interpersonal or external challenge with The Focus Question and The Foundation Question. Finally ensure others find your coaching as beneficial as you do with The Learning Question.

Yesterday, I read some sections of The AWE Question from the book.

Tomorrow, I will be reading a new chapter The Focus Question. Look out for tomorrow’s article.

Going Too Far: The Paradox of Choice

Barry Schwartz, author of The Paradox of Choice (he gives a good TED Talk of the same name), brought to light a study of consumers in a grocery store. It was Jam Day, and one sample table had six varieties; the other, twenty-four. While the table with twenty-four types of jam was more popular, consumers sampling from the table of six flavours were ten times more likely to buy jam. The overwhelm of twenty-four flavours created decision-making paralysis.

Finding the Right Moment

When someone’s told you about a course of action she intends to take, challenge her with “And what else could you do?

Here are similar questions but provide the same effect like “and what else?”

  • What’s on your mind
  • And what else could you do?
  • What’s the real challenge for you?
  • And what else is a challenge here for you?
  • What’s important right now?
  • And what else might be possible?

“ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS IF YOU’RE GOING TO FIND THE RIGHT ANSWERS.” — Vanessa Redgrave

Question Master Class Part 3

Should You Ask Rhetorical Questions?

Stop offering up advice with a question mark attached. Example below:

“What about…?” “Did you consider…?”

That doesn’t count as asking a question.

Here’s Your New Habit

WHEN THIS HAPPENS… I’ve got the answer, which I want to suggest…

INSTEAD OF… Asking a fake question such as “Have you thought of…?” or “What about…?” which is just advice with a question mark attached…

I WILL… Ask one of the Seven Essential Questions. And if I want to present an idea, I’ll offer it up as an option rather than a question.

Tomorrow I am going to read “The Focus Question” chapter so stay tuned.

Do you know you can listen to this book on Amazon Audible for FREE?

Do you know you can listen to this book on Amazon Audible for FREE?

If you are not into reading like me, then you can listen to this book for FREE on Amazon Audible

Don't Read. Just 🎧

Key Takeaways

When providing a choice, don’t go too far. A few options are enough.

The Coaching Habit
The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever

Author(s): Michael Bungay Stanier

Short Blurb: Coaching is an essential skill for leaders. But for most busy, overworked managers, coaching … Read more
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Part 7 of 21 in the đź“– The Coaching Habit book series.

Series Start | The Coaching Habit - Day 6 | The Coaching Habit - Day 8


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As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I make a tiny commission if you buy using one of the links above at no additional cost to you. I use the money to buy another book 📖 to review or grab a beer 🍺 Super duper thanks 🙌