Michael Bungay Stanier: Defeating the Advice Monster (Episode 214)

<p>Michael Bungay Stanier joins Charlie on the show to talk about his new book, <i>The Advice Trap</i>. His book provides ways leaders can be more mindful of how they are coaching their team. In today’s episode, Michael and Charlie jam about some of the negative effects of falling into the advice trap too quickly. They also discuss patterns and questions to ask to better coach your team, and the best ways to give advice when it’s needed. </p><p> </p><p>Key Takeaways:</p><p>[5:50] - Michael shares the backstory to his book, and the default habit we have of responding to any situation by giving advice. The book seeks to end our knee-jerk reaction to always giving advice, often on things we don’t know about.</p><p>[7:45] - Charlie and Michael talk about the need for different styles of leadership as a manager. To effectively lead your team, you need to be able to utilize the 6 styles of leadership, and know when to use them. Using the right leadership skills can drive culture and productivity, making life better for you and those around you.</p><p>[10:15] - The book focuses on the manager’s impulse to give advice as the default. Michael and Charlie talk about striking a balance between giving advice and giving answers. They discuss some scenarios of how you can evaluate how receptive your team member may be to hearing advice or coaching.</p><p>[16:15] - Michaels talks about the three personas of the advice monster: Tell It, Save It, and Control It. Whichever persona relates to you, it is a habitual response. The goal is that as leaders we are making mindful decisions in every situation. </p><p>[21:45] - As a leader, one of your main roles is to make decisions. It is your job to wrestle with the tough decisions, and to be mindful about what decisions your team can make on their own. Michael and Charlie also talk about the necessity of sitting on decisions before jumping to your answer. </p><p>[29:03] - Charlie and Michael talk about some books they’ve loved recently. </p><p>[32:25] - Charlie and Michael talk about so