In How to Work with (Almost) Anyone, Michael Bungay Stanier outlines how to set up working relationships for the best chance of success—by following a process of thorough preparation, a keystone conversation, and regular maintenance.

Bungay Stanier, founder of coaching firm Box of Crayons, is a world-renowned thought leader on coaching and author of the best-selling coaching book, The Coaching Habit. In his most recent book, he focuses on relationship-building, providing readers with processes and principles, as well as exercises and ample practical advice to sharpen their skills.

Together with Martin Reeves, Chairman of the BCG Henderson Institute, Bungay Stanier discusses how to build the “best possible relationship” and how to maintain and repair it over time. Moreover, they assess how to create a corporate culture conducive to these relationships, and how to make these relationships work in a hybrid or remote setting.

Key topics discussed:

[01:22] How to make difficult relationships more workable
[03:39] Definition of a “best possible relationship” and how to build it
[05:54] How to have a keystone conversation
[12:26] The impact of corporate culture and different personality types
[15:44] How to maintain and repair relationships
[20:42] The implications of hybrid and remote work
[22:31] How leaders can apply these lessons in their organizations

Additional inspirations from Michael Bungay Stanier:

• How to Begin: Start Doing Something That Matters (MacMillan USA, 2022)
• The Advice Trap: Be Humble, Stay Curious & Change the Way You Lead Forever (Page Two Books, 2020)
• Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever (Page Two Books, 2016)
• Do More Great Work: Stop the Busywork. Start the Work That Matters (Workman Publishing, 2010)
• How to tame your Advice Monster (TED Talk, 2020)