As a coach or consultant, your role is to guide your clients towards finding their own solutions rather than providing them with answers. One of the most effective ways to do this is by asking powerful questions.
When you ask powerful questions, you help your clients think deeply about their situation and identify their own insights and solutions. This approach is much more effective than simply providing answers because it empowers your clients to take ownership of their situation and find their own way forward.
Here are some tips on how to ask powerful questions that enable insight and brand new awareness:
1. Embrace Open-Ended Questions
Instead of asking questions that can be answered with a simple yes or no, ask open-ended questions that encourage your clients to think deeper. For example, instead of “Did you try this approach?” – which would of course point them to one of two possible responses and close them down, try “Which approach did you try and what did you discover?” See how different that feels? It’s spacious and full of possibility. Open-ended questions allow your clients to explore their situation and feel enabled at the same time.
2. Keep Your Sight on the Present and Future
Rather than dwelling on the past which we have a habit of doing, focus on the now and on future possibilities. Ask questions that help your clients identify their current situation, get them to really paint the picture and then ask them what they can do to move forwards from here and what’s the dream outcome? For example, “What steps can you take to achieve this goal and why is this important?”.
3. Harness the Power of “What” and “How” Questions
These types of questions are great for encouraging your clients to think not only critically, but also creatively. For example, “What options do you have in front of you?” or “How can you approach this problem differently?” “What” and “how” questions help your clients explore their situation and identify new possibilities.
4. Exercise Caution with “Why” Questions
While “why” questions can be useful in some situations, they can also put your clients on the defensive, there’s an element or blame that comes along with them. Instead, focus on asking questions that encourage exploration and discovery. For example, “What led you to this situation?” feels like a far more powerful question than “Why did you do that?”
5. Cultivate Curiosity and Non-Judgment
As a coach it’s important to approach your clients with curiosity and an open mind. Avoid making assumptions or judgments and instead focus on asking questions that help your clients discover their own insights and solutions. When you approach your clients with curiosity and non-judgment, you create a safe space for exploration and discovery and clients absolutely feel that.
By building your muscle of asking powerful questions, you help your clients tap into their own wisdom and find the solutions they need (not the ones you think they might).
So, next time you’re working with a client, remember to:
- Focus on asking open-ended questions
- Have them be present and future-focused
- Go with “what” and “how” questions (and avoid why)
- and approach the conversation with deep curiosity and park your assumptions.
Remember, your objective isn’t to supply the answers but to facilitate your clients in discovering their own path forward.
Enjoy the process!
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