The Seven Coaching Questions That Can Transform Your Coaching Business
As coaches, we strive to empower our clients, helping them uncover their potential and chart a path to success. But what if the key to better coaching lies not in giving advice but in asking the right questions? Michael Bungay Stanier’s book The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever offers seven transformative questions that can elevate your coaching practice by fostering deeper conversations, encouraging self-reflection, and building stronger relationships.
The Seven Coaching Questions
- The Kickstart Question: “What’s on your mind?” This open-ended question sets the tone for the conversation by giving the client the space to share what’s most pressing. It moves straight to the heart of their concerns without unnecessary preamble, creating a safe and focused environment for meaningful dialogue.
- The AWE Question: “And what else?” Often, the first response is just the tip of the iceberg. This follow-up question encourages clients to dig deeper, explore additional layers of their thoughts, and consider other possibilities. It’s a simple yet powerful way to unearth insights that might otherwise remain hidden.
- The Focus Question: “What’s the real challenge here for you?” This question narrows the focus and helps clients zero in on the core issue. It’s easy to get lost in surface-level problems, but identifying the true challenge is essential for creating effective solutions.
- The Foundation Question: “What do you want?” By asking this question, you help clients clarify their goals and aspirations. Understanding what they truly want allows both you and the client to align your efforts and create a targeted action plan.
- The Lazy Question: “How can I help?” Rather than assuming what the client needs, this question invites them to articulate how they see you contributing to their journey. It encourages mutual clarity and ensures your support is truly aligned with their expectations.
- The Strategic Question: “If you’re saying yes to this, what are you saying no to?” This question prompts clients to consider the trade-offs and commitments involved in their choices. It’s a powerful way to help them prioritize and make intentional decisions.
- The Learning Question: “What was most useful for you?” Ending with this question fosters reflection and learning. It reinforces the value of the conversation and provides feedback on what resonates most with the client, allowing you to continually refine your approach.
How These Questions Transform Your Coaching Business
- Deepen Client Engagement By focusing on asking instead of telling, you shift the dynamic of the coaching relationship. Clients feel heard, valued, and empowered, which fosters trust and deepens engagement.
- Encourage Client Ownership These questions place the responsibility for solutions and growth squarely on the client’s shoulders. This sense of ownership leads to greater commitment and accountability.
- Save Time and Energy As the “Lazy Question” illustrates, asking how you can help prevents unnecessary effort on your part and ensures your actions are impactful. This efficiency benefits both you and your clients.
- Foster Reflective Practice The “Learning Question” encourages clients to reflect on their progress and insights, creating a culture of continuous learning that extends beyond the coaching session.
- Build a Scalable Framework These seven questions provide a structured yet flexible framework that can be applied across various coaching scenarios. Whether you’re working with executives, teams, or individuals, this approach ensures consistency and quality.
- Differentiate Your Practice Adopting this questioning strategy sets your coaching apart. Clients appreciate a method that prioritizes their growth and self-discovery, making your services more appealing and impactful.
Conclusion
Integrating the seven questions from The Coaching Habit into your practice can transform your coaching business. These questions encourage meaningful conversations, deepen client relationships, and drive impactful results. By asking more and telling less, you empower your clients to uncover their own solutions and embrace their full potential—a shift that benefits both your clients and your coaching practice.
Start with one or two questions in your next session and observe the impact. You may find that this simple yet profound approach becomes the cornerstone of your coaching success.
Contact Information
For more insights and support in building inclusive and effective coaching practices, reach out to Dr. Mark Smutny and Civic Reinventions, Inc.:
- Email: mark.smutny@civicreinventions.com
- Phone: 626-676-0287
- Website: www.civicreinventions.com
- LinkedIn: Mark Smutny on LinkedIn
- Author: Thrive: The Facilitator’s Guide to Radically Inclusive Meetings, 2nd ed.
