• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

Español · Português · 한국어 · Українська

Coaching4Clergy

  • Home
  • Programs
    • Step 1: Asynchronous Coaching Foundations
    • Step 2: Online Semesters
    • Step 3: Mentor Coaching
    • Reflective Coaching Supervision
    • Additional Classes & Training
      • Specialty & On-site Training
      • ICF Test Preparation Course
      • Continuing Coach Education
  • About Us
    • About Coaching4Clergy
    • Our Faculty
    • Contact Us
    • Blog
    • Ask Val
    • Talk One-on-One with Val
    • Work with One of Our Coaches
    • Host a Coach Training Event
  • Bookstore
    • Books
    • Coaching Audio Downloads
    • Free Resources
    • Coaching Tools Company
  • Student Resources
    • Course Catalog
    • Learning Portal Login
    • Student Guide
    • Learning Portal User Guide
    • Zoom Student User Guide
    • How to Become a Credentialed Coach
    • Ready to Graduate?
    • Transfer Student Process
    • Refund & Cancellation Policies
  • Home
  • Programs
    • Step 1: Asynchronous Coaching Foundations
    • Step 2: Online Semesters
    • Step 3: Mentor Coaching
    • Reflective Coaching Supervision
    • Additional Classes & Training
      • Specialty & On-site Training
      • ICF Test Preparation Course
      • Continuing Coach Education
  • About Us
    • About Coaching4Clergy
    • Our Faculty
    • Contact Us
    • Blog
    • Ask Val
    • Talk One-on-One with Val
    • Work with One of Our Coaches
    • Host a Coach Training Event
  • Bookstore
    • Books
    • Coaching Audio Downloads
    • Free Resources
    • Coaching Tools Company
  • Student Resources
    • Course Catalog
    • Learning Portal Login
    • Student Guide
    • Learning Portal User Guide
    • Zoom Student User Guide
    • How to Become a Credentialed Coach
    • Ready to Graduate?
    • Transfer Student Process
    • Refund & Cancellation Policies

How to ask seismic questions…

April 21, 2015 By //  by J. Val Hastings

Question MarksOne of the marks of masterful coaching is powerful questions. Really great coaches ask questions that are seismic.  They cut right to the core and stimulate new thinking and ways of being.

In contrast, a recurring challenge that many of our newer coaches face is the stacking of questions or run-on questions.  Turn on any TV news program and you will hear an excellent example of how not to ask questions.

In some cases, run-on questions are simply a bad habit that newer coaches need to unlearn. In most cases though, it’s a confidence issue. They are not confident in their questions, and so they follow up with a 2nd question or elaborate on their question.  This frequently leaves the other person wondering which question to answer, or it stops the discovery process.

We suggest to our newer coaches the following:

  • Ask one question and STOP.  Resist the urge to say more. If they need more information from you they will ask.
  • Toss out the idea of the perfect question.  The point isn’t to ask perfect questions, but to stimulate divergent thinking and acting.
  • The most powerful of questions are the shortest.  Here are a few examples:  What’s next?  Who can help?  How else can you view this?  What’s past this?

Give these approaches a try and add power to your questions.

All the best to you,
 

Filed Under: COACHING SKILLS

Previous Post: « Are you addicted to A-ha?
Next Post: Let your friends and colleague alone! »

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to the Newsletter

SUBSCRIBE

Categories

  • 20 YEARS
  • BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
  • COACHING SKILLS
  • COACHING TEAMS AND GROUPS
  • DEVELOPING A COACH APPROACH
  • LEADERSHIP
  • RESILIENCY
  • SELF-AWARENESS
  • WELLNESS

Search

Footer

NEWSLETTER

Subscribe to receive our newsletter.

SIGN UP

CONTACT US

Phone: 484-945-2767
Email: customerservice@coaching4clergy.com

Connect with Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2021 Coaching4Clergy