After building Box of Crayons for nearly twenty years, Michael Bungay Stanier hit a fork-in-the-road: he knew that for his business to continue growing, it would be wisest for him (and more energizing) to step aside.
For two years he trained his successor, Shannon Minifie, then navigated the identity void of "standing in the valley of Box of Crayons" before launching into his new direction, including a new book and podcast.
I hope you enjoy this week's conversation on navigating replacing what often feels irreplaceable—you!—the owner, but the possibilities it opens up for all involved on the other side.
More About MBS: Michael Bungay Stanier is the author of six books which between them have sold over a million copies. He’s best known for The Coaching Habit, the best-selling coaching book of the century and already recognized as a classic. His new book, How to Begin, helps people be more ambitious for themselves and for the world.
📘 Books Mentioned: How to Begin: Start Doing Something That Matters, The Coaching Habit, Free Time: Lose The Busywork, Love Your Business, Pivot, Fierce Conversations (Susan Scott), Small Giants and Finish Big by Bo Burlingham, Virgil Wander (Leif Enger), Flawless Consulting and The Answer to How is Yes (Peter Block)
🔗 Resources Mentioned: HowToBegin.com, MBS.works, Box of Crayons, Instagram: @mbs_works, Erin Weed ("The Dig" sessions), Andrew Wilkinson's articles on Medium
🎙Related Podcast Episodes: Self-Publishing School—#129: How I Self Published My Way To 1M+ Copies Sold And $10M+ In Business From My Book, Two Pages—Brave Choices with Shannon Minifie, Pivot—156: MBS on Tipping Points and Pivoting Out of CEO (From His Own Company), Free Time—019: Most Valuable Activities with Dave Crenshaw
❤️ Enjoying the show? The best way to thank us is by leaving a rating or review. Free Time is listener-supported—consider donating to become a podcast BFF and you’ll get access to a monthly Q&A call with Jenny and private feed.
💌 Subscribe to the Time Well Spent newsletter: http://itsfreetime.com/join
💬 I’d love to hear what’s on your mind! Take the Free Time listener survey
🗣 Submit a voice question or comment for future episodes: http://itsfreetime.com/ask
🎧 Make sure you’re subscribed wherever you listen to ‘casts: http://pod.link/freetime
📝 Check out full show notes and links from this episode and share it with a friend! https://itsfreetime.com/episodes/051
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Free Time with Jenny Blake