How to Work with Almost Anyone, featuring Michael Bungay Stanier

Michael Bungay Stanier doesn’t just write books—he starts movements. In this energizing conversation with Michelle, the celebrated author of The Coaching Habit and How to Work with Almost Anyone shares the seismic shifts that changed how we lead, connect, and collaborate at work.

Together, they discuss how effective leadership is moving away from advice-giving toward deeper connection, and why asking the right questions upfront can make or break a relationship. Michael explains the origin of his latest book—sparked from a “failed” manuscript and refined into a transformative guide—and details the five questions that form what he calls a “Keystone Conversation.” From stories of co-authoring challenges to funny missteps in innovation consulting, Michael blends humor, vulnerability, and wisdom in a way that only he can and listeners will learn how understanding each other’s best, preferences, and past patterns can elevate a project from stressful to successful.

Michelle also shares her own leadership practices—like her "connection walks" and reflections from co-writing her new book with Marshall Goldsmith. They unpack how small shifts in how we begin working relationships can result in massive gains in trust, productivity, and joy. Whether you're leading a team, co-authoring a book, or collaborating on a project, this episode offers rich, immediately applicable takeaways for working better—with just about anyone.


CHAPTERS:
 00:00 Introduction to Michael Bungay Stanier
 02:30 Michael’s journey from Oxford to bestselling author
 07:50 From innovation consultant to self-published success
 10:25 The Coaching Habit and shifting away from advice-giving
 13:00 Why connection is the foundation of leadership
 15:10 The origin of How to Work with Almost Anyone
 18:45 The Keystone Conversation: five essential questions
 23:40 Designing relationships, not just doing the work
 27:10 Vulnerability, repair, and preventing misalignment
 30:00 Upcoming seismic shift: improving how change happens
 32:30 Final thoughts and thank you

Special thanks to our friend Brian Wayy for the theme music this season!
Track Title: My Hearts On Fire 

What is The Seismic Shift with Michelle K. Johnston?

Welcome to Seismic Shift - a leadership podcast that focuses on connection. I’m your host, Michelle K. Johnston: management professor, executive coach, and leadership expert. I believe that today’s leaders need more than power and control to get the best from their teams; they need connection. Through interviews with some of today’s top business leaders, we are going to explore how leaders' ability to connect with themselves, their teams, and their organizations defines their ultimate success or failure. This podcast runs in close parallel to my new book, The Seismic Shift in Leadership, where you can find even more insights from me and the brilliant leaders I interviewed this season. So let's set our sights on connection and get ready to take on the daunting, yet exciting, challenge of this Seismic Shift.