Michael Bungay Stanier
Michael Bungay Stanier is a leading authority on coaching, leadership, and workplace communication. Best known for The Coaching Habit, which has sold over a million copies and been translated into 20 languages, his books and teaching have significantly impacted organizations’ approaches to developing coach-like leadership skills worldwide.
Biography & Author's Journey
Michael Bungay Stanier, often known as MBS, was born and raised in Canberra, Australia, where curiosity and a love of books shaped his early years. Overcoming challenges such as a cleft lip and slight speech impediment, he developed resilience and an enduring interest in reading and communication. Working as a milkman during his teenage years grounded him in values of fairness and responsibility, which would later shape his leadership philosophy. Academically distinguished, Stanier earned a BA and law degree from the Australian National University before being awarded a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford University, where he completed a Master of Philosophy in Modern Literature.
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Popular Books
The coaching habit
Michael Bungay Stanier
Unlock potential with seven powerful questions. Transform your leadership by saying less and asking more for greater impact.
The Advice Trap
Michael Bungay Stanier
A guide for leaders to curb their advice-giving impulse and empower others through curiosity and effective questioning.
How to Begin
Michael Bungay Stanier
A practical guide to setting and achieving meaningful, thrilling, and daunting goals.
Operating Manual
Michael Bungay Stanier
A practical guide to building better working relationships through five key questions and actionable strategies for professional success.
The coaching habit
Michael Bungay Stanier
Unlock potential with seven powerful questions. Transform your leadership by saying less and asking more for greater impact.
The Advice Trap
Michael Bungay Stanier
A guide for leaders to curb their advice-giving impulse and empower others through curiosity and effective questioning.
How to Begin
Michael Bungay Stanier
A practical guide to setting and achieving meaningful, thrilling, and daunting goals.
Operating Manual
Michael Bungay Stanier
A practical guide to building better working relationships through five key questions and actionable strategies for professional success.
Discover more
Habits, Biographies & Leadership Guide
Habits, Biographies & Leadership Guide
This guide is designed for aspiring and established leaders who want to bridge the gap between personal discipline and professional excellence. By combining the science of habits with historical wisdom, it provides a comprehensive roadmap for anyone seeking to build a resilient character and effective leadership systems.
Master Habits, Leadership & Productivity
Master Habits, Leadership & Productivity
In an era of constant distraction, the ability to combine disciplined habits with high-level leadership is a rare competitive advantage. This plan is designed for aspiring leaders and high-performers who want to automate their success through systems and inspire others through emotional intelligence.
Master Self, Habits, & Social Skills
Master Self, Habits, & Social Skills
This comprehensive guide is designed for professionals and aspiring leaders who recognize that internal mastery is the prerequisite for external influence. By bridging the gap between personal psychology and social dynamics, it provides a roadmap for anyone looking to upgrade their habits and interpersonal impact.
Lead, Build Habits & Communicate Better
Lead, Build Habits & Communicate Better
This plan bridges the gap between behavioral science and practical leadership for aspiring and current executives. It is ideal for professionals looking to enhance their influence, master their habits, and project a stronger presence in the workplace.
Musk, Zuckerberg & Coach: Master Delivery
Musk, Zuckerberg & Coach: Master Delivery
This plan distills the high-stakes communication strategies used by world-class tech leaders into actionable leadership skills. It is designed for aspiring executives and managers who need to command authority, influence stakeholders, and coach their teams toward peak performance.
Coach Others for Greater Confidence
Coach Others for Greater Confidence
This learning plan is essential for managers, mentors, and aspiring coaches who want to empower their teams through evidence-based psychological frameworks. It bridges the gap between basic leadership and advanced coaching mastery, providing the tools necessary to unlock potential and drive lasting professional confidence.
Life Coaching for Beginners & Pro Coaches
Life Coaching for Beginners & Pro Coaches
This plan bridges the gap between coaching theory and business success by integrating psychological science with practical entrepreneurial strategies. It is ideal for aspiring coaches and professionals looking to deepen their impact and build a sustainable, profitable practice.
Books for confident, authoritative speaking
Books for confident, authoritative speaking
Confident, authoritative communication is the cornerstone of professional success and social influence, yet many capable people are overlooked simply because they don't sound certain or commanding. This learning plan is designed for professionals, leaders, and anyone who wants to be taken seriously—whether you're navigating career advancement, leading teams, or simply want your ideas to carry weight in any room you enter.
Community Voices
"Michael Bungay Stanier is best known for The Coaching Habit, the best-selling book on coaching this century"
— Goodreads
"Michael Bungay Stanier is author of Do More Great Work, which sold 90,000 copies and is widely recognized for its impact"
— Barnes & Noble
"Michael Bungay Stanier organized the Great Work MBA, a virtual conference featuring 30 world-class speakers and over 10,000 participants"
— Barnes & Noble
"Michael Bungay Stanier's The Coaching Habit has sold close to a million copies and is considered influential in coaching literature"
— Goodreads
"Michael Bungay Stanier's book How to Work With Almost Anyone shows how to build the best possible relationships at work"
— iPurpose Partners
"Michael Bungay Stanier's End Malaria raised about $400,000 for Malaria No More and reached #2 on Amazon.com"
— Barnes & Noble
"Managers worldwide use Michael Bungay Stanier's approach to unlock their teams' potential through his practical coaching methods"
— Barnes & Noble
"Michael Bungay Stanier was a Rhodes Scholar and was named the first Canadian Coach of the Year"
— Barnes & Noble
"Michael Bungay Stanier is the founder and Senior Partner of Box of Crayons, helping organizations do less Good Work and more Great Work"
— Barnes & Noble
"Michael Bungay Stanier is recognized for engaging, interactive, and entertaining keynote sessions at major conferences"
— Barnes & Noble
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
