Page Two The Advice Trap: Be Humble, Stay Curious & Change the Way You Lead Forever

Good book to read for every leader

As I expected, a practical book (again) by MBS.

Michael's second book is such a find: this is transformational, easy-reading and well-written. His style is insightful and witty. The book itself is such a useful tool for anyone who wants to ensure their relationships with others are valuable, humble and curious. Read this and you and your team will do your best work. To call it a leadership book seems a bit of a misnomer, as there's too many books branded the next big thing or to make you the world's best leader. This is more fundamental than that. It reminds you to be a decent human being, through curiosity and humility, by truly listening and through nurturing better habits. You'll feel empowered, happy and ironically if you're a 'save me' like me (read it!)... you'll finally reach your goal to be helpful, sometimes, simply by shutting up!

I’ve owned this book since it first came out. Started it right away, couldn’t get into it for whatever reason, and put it on a shelf for a few months. I picked it up again a couple weeks ago and am so glad I did. “The Coaching Habit” is one of the most influential books I’ve ever read and so my expectations were exceedingly high for MBS’s follow-up. As one who has long struggled with sucking up others’ responsibilities and indulging the Advice Monster far too often, I believe deeply in the power and significance of the coach approach. As with the Coaching Habit, I value the simple, practical wisdom that fills these pages and that the writing challenges me to not only think better, but to be better. I am better off for having read these pages and that in itself is the sign of a world class book.

Got this book because I sometimes feel the need to always provide advice. The truth is, I really don't like giving because many times I realised others already have something in mind. So this book unravels what I've always been struggling with and provides great insights on how to overcome the "advice monster" in me.