DeepSummary
In this episode, Michael Bungay Stanier, author of 'The Coaching Habit', shares his personal journey of disrupting power structures while being part of the privileged class. He discusses how curiosity shifts power dynamics by inviting others to find their own solutions. Bungay Stanier also reflects on helping women step into the limelight and giving up control in the companies he founded.
Bungay Stanier explains techniques he uses to decenter himself in conversations, like looking away to encourage dialogue between others. He describes a framework for decision-making inspired by Susan Scott's 'Fierce Conversations' that delegates decisions up a metaphorical tree - twigs for minor choices, branches for medium ones, trunk for big decisions, and roots for fundamental choices like selling the company.
The episode explores the challenges of giving up power, even for well-intentioned leaders. Bungay Stanier suggests taking small steps, seeking feedback, and having principles rather than rigid rules when navigating complex systems like power structures. He aims to help people 'be a force for change' through his new venture while continuing to teach coaching as a way to shift authority.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Curiosity can shift power dynamics by inviting others to find their own solutions rather than being told what to do.
- Those in positions of power and privilege need to actively work to decenter themselves and elevate others' voices.
- Giving up control is challenging, even for well-intentioned leaders, but can be done through small steps and embracing the complexity of effecting systemic change.
- Having clear principles rather than rigid rules allows for more adaptability when navigating complex social systems.
- Creating psychological safety for others to make mistakes is key when transitioning power and authority.
- Being an ally often means getting out of the limelight and platforming others' perspectives.
- Looking for worthy goals that challenge people and give more than they take can empower them to be forces for positive change.
- Awareness of one's own societal privilege is crucial for authentically disrupting oppressive power structures.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “Part of running a focus group is you have to find a way of getting the group to talk to itself and removing yourself from being the hub of the conversation.“ by Michael Bungay Stanier
- “I'm trying to help people identify a worthy goal, something that is thrilling and important and daunting, lights them up, gives more to the world than it takes, takes them to the edge of who they are.“ by Michael Bungay Stanier
- “You know, I tick lots of the privileged boxes right on the straight, tall, white, english speaking, over educated Rhodes scholar dude. I mean, I'm like, I pretty much got it all, but I've been very just kind of invested in particular around feminism and helping and being. I guess the language now would be being an ally to women and helping women step into the limelight and helping me get out of the limelight.“ by Michael Bungay Stanier
- “Part of my job is to have their back, which is like, it's like you're okay to make mistakes here because I've got your back around. So there's very little that can go so badly wrong that we're all.“ by Michael Bungay Stanier
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Episode Information
The Will To Change: Uncovering True Stories of Diversity & Inclusion
Jennifer Brown
3/10/21
Author, speaker, and entrepreneur Michael Bungay Stanier joins the program to discuss the importance of curiosity and why leaders should decenter themselves. Discover how to embrace power in an authentic way, and what trees can teach us about decision making.