I remember when I first realized the power of this question. I had been coaching an intact team for the day and, towards the end of the day, I asked them this question: What is your belief about our work today?
There was a long silence. Then they each looked at each other. Finally, someone broke the silence and said, “Well to be honest—Nothing will change.”
What followed was rich, candid discussion and plans that they really believed in.
What I discovered that day was that people’s beliefs about a plan or a process is of paramount importance.
Now, early on in my coaching, I always explore people’s beliefs about our coaching.