POWERFUL Questions

The Coaching Corner

By

Mary Mantei

One of the tools life coaches seek to use effectively is powerful questioning. A powerful question invites an individual to move to a deeper level of discovery or learning. A well-placed question can create greater possibility or perhaps a clearer vision for whoever we are in conversation with. A truly powerful question will not elicit a yes or no answer; rather it is open-ended to encourage reflection and creativity.

A hope I have for clients is that during and after the coaching relationship, they will learn to ask themselves powerful questions. I want them to be able to “self-coach” to extend the value of the coaching experience. As we step into 2010, into the next decade, we will have many opportunities to consider, many problems to solve or manage, and many decisions to make, which may have a simple or profound affect on our lives and the lives of others. Following are a few powerful questions which might assist you in exploring your options in a thoughtful, appreciative manner this coming Year.

If I say yes to this, what am I saying no to?

Examples of when you might want to ask yourself this question are;

Spending a large sum of money on an item or an experience

Saying yes to a request to voluntarily commit your time

Staying in a relationship which is not serving you well

What does _________________________ cost me? (Fill in the blank)

Examples:

What does my constant lateness cost me?

What does denial of my health issues cost me?

What does my desire to be honest with those I love cost me?

What options can I create?

When faced with a problem or dilemma, we often act on the first answer we land on. This question encourages us to spend time generating beyond the first solution or option and give ourselves potentially a better option or a backup plan. We feel less resigned with more options to select from and Plan B’s to turn to.

I encourage you to ask yourself one of these questions when the time is right and see where your mind and imagination take you. Eugene Ionesco, Romanian-born playright, was onto something when he said, “It’s not the answer that enlightens, but the question”.