Coaching conversations: Asking the powerful questions

Coaching Conversations:Asking the powerful questions

1st April, 2017 Less Meetup, Pune

Facilitator: Ankit Tandon

What are powerful questions?

Why are they important?

Group Activity Coaching Conversation Triangle

Coaching Conversation Triangle

More Powerful

Less Powerful

Coaching Conversation Triangle

More Powerful

Less Powerful

Why,How, What

Who, When, Where

Yes / No, SOQ, Interpretive, Which

What NOT to ask

Closed Questions

What NOT to ask

Closed Questions Interpretive Questions

What NOT to ask

Closed Questions Interpretive QuestionsRambling Questions

What NOT to ask

Closed Questions Interpretive QuestionsRambling QuestionsSolution Oriented Questions

What NOT to ask

Closed Questions Interpretive QuestionsRambling QuestionsSolution Oriented QuestionsFinding that one ‘glory question’

What NOT to ask

Closed Questions Interpretive QuestionsRambling QuestionsSolution Oriented QuestionsFinding that one ‘glory question’Interrupting

What NOT to ask

Closed Questions Interpretive QuestionsRambling QuestionsSolution Oriented QuestionsFinding that one ‘glory question’InterruptingNeglecting to Interrupt

What NOT to ask

Closed Questions Interpretive QuestionsRambling QuestionsSolution Oriented QuestionsFinding that one ‘glory question’InterruptingNeglecting to Interrupt Excessive usage of ‘why’ questions

Quiz Time

Quiz: Powerful questions

1.What makes a question "powerful"?

A) It conveys the questioner's strong desire for change.B) It sets a clear direction for answerers to follow. C) It evokes the answerer's wisdom. D) It is specific to the answerer's context. E) It is easily answered. F) It has never been asked before


2. Which of these is (or are) evidence that question has been "powerful"?

A) The energy in the room shifts.B) There is a pause, while a deep breath is taken.C) Body language indicates curiosity.D) One or more of the above may happen.E) It is impossible to tell right away.


3. Which of these are sure to weaken the effect of a question?

A) Feeling nervous and stumbling when posing the question.B) Already knowing the answer you want the answerers to discover.C) Presenting some possible answers, to get the ball rollingD) Allowing an awkward silence to lengthen after asking itE) None of the above.


4. Which of the following statements about "Why...?" questions is/are FALSE?

A) Research has found "Why" questions, in general, to be more powerful than "what," "when" and "which" questions.B) You can pose a "why" question without using "why“.C) A “why" question is the fastest way to the real root of any issue.D) A "why" question can put answerers on the defensive.E) It doesn't matter who asks it - a solid "why" question always works.


5. What can be done to avoid asking Interpretive questions?


7. What can be done to avoid interrupting frequently? How to cope up with ‘neglecting to interrupt’ syndrome?


8. What can be done to avoid finding that one ‘glory question’?

Role Play

-Two volunteers please

Simple hacks

LOFT Model

T- Makes coachee thinkF-Takes coachee forwardO- Makes coachee own the issue/solutionL- Reflects active listening

Learn to wait

Count to 30. Have courage? Restart again

Find a buddy and practice

And if a question does fall flat, be transparent; just acknowledge it and try again…

Thank you

Reference http://deborahpreuss.comMy own creativity

http://deborahpreuss.com/



Coaching conversations: Asking the powerful questions

Leadership & Management

Transcript of Coaching conversations: Asking the powerful questions