An effective coach says less and asks more. All great coaches have these seven essential questions in their coaching arsenal.
#1 Kickstart Question
What’s on your mind?
Open and invites people to share what’s most important to them
Use 3P model to focus – People, Project, Patterns
#2 Awe Question
And what else?
Quickest and easiest way to uncover new possibilities
Ask at least 3 times and no more than 5
Ask until “There’s nothing else”
Ask “Is there anything else?” if too long, it signals closure
#3 Focus Question
What’s the real challenge here for you?
Spend time to solve the real problem, not the first one
Stick to What. Why gets people to be defensive. for example:
What made you chose this course of action?
#4 Foundation Question
What do you really want?
Stops them in their tracks and gets them think
Increase TERA quotient
- Tribe – “Are you against me or with me?”
- Expectation – Do I know the future or don’t I?
- Rank – Are you more or less important than me?
- Autonomy – Do I get a say or don’t I?
#5 Lazy Question
How can I help? What do you want from me?
Forces them to make a direct and clear request. Also stops you from thinking you know best to leap into action.
#6 Strategic Question
If you’re saying Yes to this, what are you saying No to? What could be being fully committed to the idea look like?
Brings things into sharper focus and gets them to commit fully.
#7 Learning Question
What was most useful for you?
Reframes that you were useful and at the same time asks for their help.
