Michael Bungay Stanier, author of 'The Coaching Habit' and 'How to Work with Almost Anyone,' shares insights on building successful workplace relationships, forging lasting connections with colleagues and clients, and the importance of self-awareness and effective communication. Discover the power of keystone conversations, maintaining relationships, and repairing conflicts. Learn to find opportunities and bring out the best in yourself. Tune in to unravel the art of building impactful work relationships.
Having conversations about our best qualities, preferences, past successes and failures, and repairing relationships can foster healthier and more effective working relationships.
Initiating Keystone conversations, which consist of five core questions, can lead to stronger connections and better outcomes in workplace relationships.
Deep dives
Starting the Conversation for Better Relationships
The podcast episode focuses on the importance of having conversations about how we work together to foster better relationships. The main idea is that by discussing our best qualities, preferences, past successes and failures, and how we can repair relationships, we can create healthier and more effective working relationships. The episode highlights the need for vulnerability and honesty to build trust and psychological safety, which are essential for creating safe, vital, and repairable relationships. It also emphasizes the shared responsibility for the quality of working relationships and the power of being the person brave enough to start the conversation.
The Keystone Conversation Framework
The episode introduces the Keystone conversation framework, which consists of five core questions: amplify, steady, good date, bad date, and how to fix it. The amplify question focuses on understanding when individuals shine and flow in their work. The steady question explores preferences and practices that impact working relationships. The good date question encourages reflection on successful past relationships to identify patterns and strategies for improvement. The bad date question delves into past frustrating relationships to learn from mistakes and take accountability. Finally, the how to fix it question acknowledges that things will go wrong and discusses strategies for repairing relationships when conflicts arise.
Applying the Keystone Conversation in Various Relationships
The episode addresses the applicability of the Keystone conversation framework in different relationships, such as with bosses, colleagues, and partners. It suggests that while initiating these conversations may feel awkward or uncomfortable, being the person brave enough to start them can have a significant positive impact on building stronger connections. It acknowledges that not all relationships may be receptive to these conversations, but encourages individuals to focus on the relationships where improvement is possible. The episode highlights the importance of shared responsibility and co-creating working relationships to achieve better outcomes.
The Power of Vulnerability and Emotional Intelligence
Throughout the episode, there is an emphasis on vulnerability, emotional intelligence, and self-reflection. The key takeaway is that fostering better working relationships requires honest self-assessment, recognizing one's own emotions and patterns, including strengths and weaknesses. It also involves acknowledging the stories and judgments we create in our minds and being open to understanding the perspectives and experiences of others. By embodying vulnerability and emotional intelligence, individuals can contribute to creating safe, vital, and repairable relationships in both professional and personal contexts.
Do you ever wonder how to build effective, lasting relationships in your professional life? Today on The ONE Thing Podcast, we’re diving into this crucial topic with none other than Michael Bungay Stanier, a name many of you are already familiar with. Michael, acclaimed for his best-selling book "The Coaching Habit," a favorite in my own collection and hailed as the best selling coaching book of the century, joins us to share his wisdom. His latest work, "How to Work with Almost Anyone," cleverly titled "*Almost Anyone," reveals the secrets to forging the best possible relationships with key colleagues and clients.
As a Rhodes Scholar and the recent recipient of the prestigious Coaching Prize by Thinkers 50, widely regarded as the Oscars of Management, Michael's insights are invaluable for anyone looking to enhance their professional connections. Whether you're a seasoned executive or just starting your career, understanding how to navigate and nurture workplace relationships is key to success.
So, if you're looking to transform your work relationships and create a more fulfilling professional life, tune in to this insightful discussion with Michael Bungay Stanier. Let’s unravel the art of building impactful relationships at work, right here, on The ONE Thing.
To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods.
We talk about:
How to build successful workplace relationships
Strategies for forging effective and lasting connections with colleagues and clients
The importance of nurturing professional relationships for career advancement and personal fulfillment
Practical tips and tools for improving communication and collaboration in a professional setting