One of the most important areas coaches of all kinds (leaders as coach, peer coaches, internal and external coaches) can expand upon is the power of questions. Questions form the backbone of any great conversation. In coaching, we want to use questions to activate awareness and support action in a number of different ways including:
In general coaching questions are different than a traditional leadership question which is often used to elicit information. Given the different purposes of questions as listed above, we want to use questions which are typically:
Open Ended (rather than asking a person to answer something YES or NO)
Short (often only 4-6 words in length)
Starting with WHAT to elicit the most open-ended response or many possibilities
Avoiding start with a WHY so that it does not put a person on defensive stance.
For years I’ve shared the following video around powerful questions during keynotes I’ve given to leaders on coaching skills, as well as to internal and external coaches. Take a look at this 2 minute video and consider what’s important for you to note:
- Expand awareness around a topic
- Stimulate new options around a topic (whether it’s an opportunity or a challenge)
- Explore different perspectives around an issue
- Support action
- Create accountability around important goals
- Create clarity around a topic
In general coaching questions are different than a traditional leadership question which is often used to elicit information. Given the different purposes of questions as listed above, we want to use questions which are typically:
Open Ended (rather than asking a person to answer something YES or NO)
Short (often only 4-6 words in length)
Starting with WHAT to elicit the most open-ended response or many possibilities
Avoiding start with a WHY so that it does not put a person on defensive stance.
For years I’ve shared the following video around powerful questions during keynotes I’ve given to leaders on coaching skills, as well as to internal and external coaches. Take a look at this 2 minute video and consider what’s important for you to note:
Use the comments below to let us know what your favorite question is.
Enjoy!
Jennifer
Enjoy!
Jennifer
Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized |Reconnecting Workspaces | Group Coaching Essentials
Team and Leadership Development | Coaching | Retreats
Follow us on Instagram @ReconnectingWorkspaces
Phone: (416)996-8326
Check out my TEDx talk
Looking to bring your workplaces back together, whether you are remote, hybrid, or face-to-face? Pick up a copy of my new book, Reconnecting Workspaces, at Amazon.
Potentials Realized |Reconnecting Workspaces | Group Coaching Essentials
Team and Leadership Development | Coaching | Retreats
Follow us on Instagram @ReconnectingWorkspaces
Phone: (416)996-8326
Check out my TEDx talk
Looking to bring your workplaces back together, whether you are remote, hybrid, or face-to-face? Pick up a copy of my new book, Reconnecting Workspaces, at Amazon.
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