Learning to ask powerful coaching questions is one of the most valuable skills that coaches use in helping their clients explore what is truly important and meaningful for them. Questions help coaches dive deeper into the client's mindset, but the client also gains clarity during answering effective coaching questions. With the right coaching questions, the coach truly understands what the client is going through and where he wants to get.
Following are some of the ways to practice effective questions.
1. Short, Concise and Simple:
Coaching questions should be simple, to-the-point and easy to understand by your client. Long questions often make it difficult to follow and become complex. A succinct question will help your client to explain themselves easily and also helpful for the coaching process to get to the core of the issue at hand. An excellent technique for asking a complex question is breaking it up into shorter questions and asking one at a time.
2. Open-ended Questions:
Open-ended questions are the most crucial tool in a coach's toolbox of skills. Open-ended questions are the one which cannot be answered in a one-word response or just with a "yes/no." Coaches use open-ended questions to dive deep into the client's mindset and learn more. With open-ended questions, coaches get a clearer perspective of what the client is really thinking or feeling as an open-ended question is open to various responses. Additionally, closed-ended questions put a full stop to the conversation rather than expanding and opening the topic to a broader discussion.
An example of a closes-ended question would be: "Do you like your job?" whereas an open-ended question would be "What do you like about your job?"
3. Non-judgmental:
A coach must be careful that his questions do not show any bias, opinion, prejudice or judgement. An example of such a question would be, "Why would you do something like that?!" Of course, the tone of voice plays a huge role here and the reasoning behind asking the question as well. If you use a sarcastic or offended tone, it would be very judgmental; a coach's job is not to judge other people's opinions. If you explain the reasoning behind your question and ask in a polite tone, the same question would be perceived differently. Of course, the question will define that you want to know more about their actions and their reasons for behaving in a particular manner rather than you being judgmental. Also, you mustn't impose such questions where there can be only one correct or accurate answer, as in some cases, this might also be perceived as judgmental or getting out a particular response from your client.
4. Language Mirroring:
The questions you ask must mirror your clients' same terms and exact words that they use to describe the issue. This way, your client will feel more connected and would be able to visualize the goal. It will also help you gain the trust you need in your coaching sessions as the client will feel heard.
An example would be:
Client: "I feel like I am on top of the world."
Coach: "What exactly makes you feel like you are on top of the world?"
5. Exploring Willingness to Change:
Coaches can also ask questions to explore clients' willingness to change and find reasons why they didn't make certain decisions in the past to help them change.
An example would be: "What are the obstacles that didn't allow you to move forward with this decision?"
This helps with reasoning why the client had to seek a coach and why they didn't make specific changes by themselves? Such questions also help coaches understand the client's past and help the clients stay focused on future goals.
Using the right question type at the right time will come with practice. Using the above criteria will help you in coming up with the right ones. It is helpful to make a list of your most compelling questions you have asked your clients. Asking the right questions helps clients open up and makes a huge difference in their progress. The questions you ask make you the coach you are, and with practice, you will get better.
If you want to learn more about what questions to ask, enroll in one of our signature ICF Accredited Coach Certification Programs to learn more! Email now at info@flowcoachinginstitute.com to learn more.