How to Work With (Almost) Anyone
Five Questions for Building the Best Possible Relationships
Michael Bungay Stanier
In How to Work with (Almost) Anyone, Michael Bungay Stanier, author of The Coaching Habit and The Advice Trap, turns his focus to the most human part of our work: relationships. In this book he lays out a thoughtful, practical method for building stronger, safer and more sustainable connections at work.
Bungay Stanier doesn’t pretend that great relationships happen by accident, nor does he argue that you have to like everyone you work with. Instead, he offers a simple framework that helps you create what he calls “Best Possible Relationships”. Ones that are grounded in clarity, mutual understanding and the ability to bounce back when things go sideways.
At the heart of the book is a structured conversation you’re encouraged to have with your colleagues. What’s in that conversation? Well, I’m not going to spoil it, you’ll have to read the book for that. (Although Bungay Stanier does assure us there are no trust falls involved.)
What makes this such an engaging read is its balance of humour, humility and usefulness. The language is accessible, the ideas are sticky, and the stories feel like they could’ve come from your own workplace. This is not a book about fixing people, it’s about co-creating something better, together.
For educators, team leaders and support staff juggling complex relationships, this book offers a refreshing and respectful way to move forward. It’s short enough to finish in a weekend, but you’ll want to return to it often. A valuable addition to any professional library and one that might just change how you begin your next working relationship.
