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How to Unlock Your Greatness by Doing Hard Things (with Michael Bungay Stanier)

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Jun 25, 2025

Guest

Michael Bungay-Stanier

Michael Bungay Stanier, a renowned author and coaching expert, returns to discuss leading with curiosity and the radical nature of 'being lazy' as a trust-building tool. He emphasizes the importance of shifting from SMART goals to worthy goals that inspire growth. Michael also dives into how neuroscience informs emotional connection and resilience, advocating for coaching that empowers individuals. His insights on managing ambiguity and simplifying complex decisions make this conversation a must-listen for anyone seeking meaningful transformation.

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Episode notes

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ANECDOTE

Servant-Leadership Roots

Michael Bungay-Stanier describes growing up in a service-oriented family that encouraged his uniqueness.
His parents' acceptance allowed him to experiment and turn up the volume on who he was becoming.

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ANECDOTE

Rhodes Rejection Then Persistence

Michael recounts applying twice for the Rhodes Scholarship and initially failing to get an interview.
His persistence and volunteer work in crisis counselling helped him win on the second attempt.

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ANECDOTE

Naked On Stage Moment

Michael recalls a university sketch called 'Synchronized Nude Male Modeling' that pushed his comfort zone.
That moment crystallized a personal value: being 'naked on stage'—willing to be provocative and vulnerable.

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Family Roots and Servant Leadership

01:21 • 3min

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Studying Law and Literature

04:07 • 4min

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Winning the Rhodes and Learning to Question

07:42 • 3min

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Running Focus Groups as Curiosity Training

10:43 • 2min

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Challenging the 'Box' in Innovation

12:59 • 2min

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Balancing Certainty and Ambiguity as a Leader

15:23 • 4min

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Modern Change: People Over Processes

19:14 • 5min

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The Power of Subtraction in Change

23:45 • 2min

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Emotional Work in Transformation

26:08 • 4min

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Becoming an Entrepreneur and Finding a Niche

30:12 • 3min

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Coaching Habit Pillars: Be Curious, Be Lazy, Be Often

33:22 • 6min

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Designing the Seven Coaching Questions

39:05 • 4min

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Coaching for Performance and Growth

42:52 • 1min

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Neuroplasticity and Habit Formation in Coaching

43:55 • 4min

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Choosing What Truly Matters

48:06 • 6min

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A Simple One-on-One Coaching Checklist

54:04 • 1min

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Defining Positive Leadership

55:20 • 2min

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Spreading the Possibility Virus

Thinking in New Boxes

the New Paradigm for Business Creativity

Luc de Brabantere

#70

• Mentioned in 159 episodes

The Power of Habit

Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business

Charles Duhigg

In this book, Charles Duhigg explores the science of habit formation and change. He explains the 'habit loop' consisting of a cue, a routine, and a reward, and how understanding this loop can help in changing bad habits or forming good ones. The book includes numerous examples from various fields, such as how Procter & Gamble successfully marketed Febreze, how Alcoa transformed its business by focusing on safety, and how individuals like Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps and civil-rights hero Martin Luther King, Jr. benefited from specific habits. Duhigg argues that by harnessing this science, individuals and organizations can transform their lives and businesses.

#3640

• Mentioned in 10 episodes

How to Begin

Michael Bungay-Stanier

• Mentioned in 989 episodes

Atomic Habits

James Clear

Atomic Habits by James Clear provides a practical and scientifically-backed guide to forming good habits and breaking bad ones. The book introduces the Four Laws of Behavior Change: make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy, and make it satisfying. It also emphasizes the importance of small, incremental changes (atomic habits) that compound over time to produce significant results. Clear discusses techniques such as habit stacking, optimizing the environment to support desired habits, and focusing on continuous improvement rather than goal fixation. The book is filled with actionable strategies, real-life examples, and stories from various fields, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking to improve their habits and achieve personal growth.

#3429

• Mentioned in 10 episodes

The Advice Trap

Michael Bungay Stanier

In 'The Advice Trap', Michael Bungay Stanier builds on the principles of his previous book, 'The Coaching Habit', to help leaders and consultants avoid the pitfalls of premature and unsolicited advice-giving. The book emphasizes the importance of taming the 'Advice Monster' within, which is driven by the beliefs that one must have the answer, be responsible for everything, and stay in control. By staying curious longer and rushing into advice-giving more slowly, leaders can foster a more engaged team, promote organizational change, and create a curiosity-driven company culture. The book provides practical tools and strategies for effective coaching, including the use of probing questions, mindfulness, and humility.

#258

• Mentioned in 71 episodes

The Coaching Habit

Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever

Michael Bungay Stanier

In 'The Coaching Habit,' Michael Bungay Stanier provides a straightforward and effective approach to coaching. Drawing on his extensive experience training managers worldwide, he introduces seven essential coaching questions designed to help managers unlock their team's potential. These questions include the Kickstart Question, the AWE Question, the Lazy Question, the Strategic Question, the Focus Question, the Foundation Question, and the Learning Question. The book emphasizes the importance of saying less and asking more, fostering a collaborative and empowering work environment. It combines practical advice with research in neuroscience and behavioral economics, making coaching a daily, informal part of managerial work rather than a formal event.

#2125

• Mentioned in 15 episodes

Subtract

Leidy Klotz

Back by popular demand! 🎧
In this new conversation, Michael Bungay Stanier—author of The Coaching Habit, The Advice Trap, and How to Begin—returns to the podcast to go deeper than ever before.

With his signature mix of warmth, clarity, and wit, MBS and Jean-Philippe Courtois explore:

💡 How to lead with less control and more curiosity
🔥 Why “being lazy” is a radical act of trust and growth
🎯 The difference between SMART goals… and worthy goals
🧠 What neuroscience teaches us about emotional connection, change, and resilience
🌍 And how to serve something greater than yourself—while letting go of control

This episode isn’t just for coaches—it’s for anyone navigating meaningful transformation, in life or at work.

🎧 Listen now.

More inspiration? Check out these related episodes:

- Dr. Caroline Leaf – on rewiring your brain for clarity, emotional regulation & growth: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798971/episodes/15018482-managing-your-mind-with-dr-caroline-leaf
- Pete Carroll – Head Coach of the Seattle Seahawks, on Learning to ‘always compete’: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798971/episodes/9268299-learning-to-always-compete-with-pete-carroll-seattle-seahawks-head-coach

- Charles Duhigg on The Power of Habit: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798971/episodes/16315344-the-power-of-habit-with-charles-duhigg

Subscribe now to JP's free monthly newsletter "Positive Leadership and You" on LinkedIn to transform your positive impact today: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/positive-leadership-you-6970390170017669121/

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