Closing the 18-Inch Gap Podcast-EP052: Boost Your Day: Q&A Inside!

Boost Your Day: Q&A Inside!

Powerful coaching questions are the cornerstone of effective coaching, unlocking the wisdom within you rather than simply providing you the answers. The 'most powerful' questions always vary depending on your context. Every question has the capability of taking you in a different direction.

Questions invite the client to find the answers themselves, my job is to help you, rather than think for you.

A powerful coaching question will ignite your imagination. When you
come up with the solution, the likelihood of implementing that solution or achieving that goal is far greater than if I just give you a solution. Even if your answers seem less powerful than mine, if you have come up with the solution, then you will likely achieve it.

Quote of the week: Judge a man by his questions rather than by his answers: Voltaire

Good coaching questions can do the following:

• Stimulate reflective conversation and thought
• Invite creativity and new possibilities
• Generate energy and forward movement
• Channel attention and focus inquiry
• Evoke more questions

Points covered:

Now let's dive into some examples of types of questions. By the way, example coaching questions are included in each sample below in the recording of the podcast:

Scaling Questions: "On a scale of 1 to 10" questions

Scaling questions in coaching are a good tool to find out things that are subjective or difficult to measure. They help quantify intangible things.

STRATEGIC QUESTIONS

Circular Questioning: What would your (insert relationship) say?

Circular questioning helps to change perspective and gain a new point of view. It helps break free from old thought patterns and creates new ideas and solutions.

Hypothetical Coaching Questions: "What if" questions

Hypothetical questions are usually future-oriented and give you the client the option to think about a different point of view and new solutions. They stimulate creativity in you when you search for ideas and possible solutions.

The Miracle Question:

The miracle question is a great thought experiment in coaching. The focus is on the future, on the goal the client wants to achieve. Instead of thinking how bad the situation is right now, we switch the attention to how life would be after the problem is solved.

Paradox Coaching Questions: What could you do not to…?

Paradox means contradictory. Paradox questions in coaching aim to surprise you by aggravating the problem. The question exaggerates the situation and gets you thinking about new ideas and possible solutions. Paradox questions are a powerful tool whenever you are stuck.

Solution-Focused Coaching Questions: Focus on strengths

The focus question in coaching puts the focus on your strengths, instead of weaknesses. The focus is on competencies, not inadequacies; on "what can" rather than "what can't" be done. The focus is on the solution, not the problem.

Some other brief examples as well:

THE BEGINNING: Build Understanding / Uncover what is important

Establish Intent: Understand what you hope to achieve from your session

Set Direction: Shift focus from what's wrong to what's possible

This is only half of the total outline and a small fraction of 100 questions I have saved that I could ask. This is meant as an idea of what's possible when the right questions are asked.

Did anything resonate with you? Do you want to explore deeper how I can help you with this topic? If so, reach out to me and let me know. Simply send me an email to edwin@edwinsoler.com and let me know what your question is and how we can connect. I always offer a free, complementary, coaching session where we can explore how I can help you and you can see coaching action for yourself.

My Book: Closing the 18-Inch Gap