Coaching Questions that Work
Some questions focus on situations. What happened? What’s wrong? What do you want?
Begin with situations, but don’t park there.
Coaching questions turn attention to the person.
- What did you notice about yourself in that meeting?
- What was going on for you when she said that?
- What do you make of your reaction?
Examples of Coaching Questions
They say, “My boss micromanages.”
You say, “So your boss is up in your business. What does his style bring out in you?”
They say, “People aren’t accountable.”
You say, “You want people to be accountable. How might you be making it easier for people to avoid responsibility?”
They say, “I need to delegate more.”
You ask, “What makes holding on attractive to you?”
Coaching questions move people from reporting information to noticing themselves.
Going Deep in 4 Steps
- Event: “What happened?”
- Meaning: “What do you make of what happened?”
- Insight: “What does this reveal about you?”
- Growth: “What does this insight suggest for you?”
Problems are mirrors that help us see ourselves.
Don’t rush to solutions. Make space for people to notice themselves.
Insight turns problem-solving into personal growth.
It’s easy to see what others need to do. Coaches help us see what we need to do.
A Guide to Lousy Coaching – Leadership Freak
Read: Coach the Person Not the Problem
What a simple concept for holding up that mirror. This can be hard sometimes, but taking it from this perspective easily makes sense.
Thanks, Sara. The thing I find difficult is stifling my need to give answers. Making room for competent people to explore strengthens them.
This was a timely article today. I need to go into a manager meeting tomorrow and discuss micromanagement and accountability. I am taking my thoughts and turning them into questions.
I wish you well, bg. If you don’t mind me saying, what will you do when you don’t get the answer you want? We can shut people down or expand conversations with our responses. Cheers.
Always powerful insights, sir. Thank you for crafting simple enough questions that have a tremendous opportunity to elicit deep thinking and growing in others.
Thanks Kelly. It’s a pleasure to be of use. I wish you well.
And this is why I read this blog. It’s just so good… Thank you!
Good morning, Linda. You brought a smile to my face. Cheers