As a coach, you know that the way you ask questions heavily influences the results of your coaching sessions. It’s important to be mindful of the types of questions you are asking to ensure that you’re getting the most out of each session.

If your questions are too closed (i.e. yes or no questions), or too open ended for that matter, you won’t get as much out of your sessions as if you were to use powerful questioning techniques that drive meaningful conversations and produce actionable results for the client. Here are a few tips and techniques for asking powerful questions to improve your coaching results:

Ask open-ended questions

Open-ended questions allow your client to provide detailed responses and encourage further exploration of the underlying issues they are discussing. These questions can help you develop a deeper understanding of the situation and come up with solutions that really meet your client’s needs. Examples of open-ended questions include:

• “What do you think the next step should be?”
• “What do you think could be done differently to achieve this goal?”
• “What are the benefits and drawbacks of taking this approach?”

Questions like these can create a more comfortable atmosphere for exploration and insight in your coaching sessions.

The “5 Whys” Technique

Sometimes the best way to get to the root of an issue is by asking questions about why certain behaviors or decisions were made. The “5 Whys” can be an effective way to get to the root cause of an issue quickly and efficiently.

By asking “Why?” questions five times consecutively, you guide the person being coached to dig deeper into their own thought processes, and ultimately uncover the “real” issue at hand. This technique can encourage clients to think beyond surface-level thinking and address the underlying problem behind whatever it is they are facing in their life.

For example, if someone comes in with a problem involving communication with their partner, you might ask them why they think they keep having these issues. To which they might respond, “Because we don’t listen to each other.”

Then, you would ask why again — “Why don’t you listen?” — and continue this process until they uncover an actionable solution that can help them improve their communication going forward.

This technique works best if you can word the questions in such a way that the client doesn’t notice you’re asking them “why” multiple times in a row; this will help them stay focused on delving into their own thoughts and feelings rather than being distracted by the repetitive nature of the questions. You want to avoid evoking the feeling of an interrogation, or of a young child asking “why” over and over again.

On that note, it goes without saying that overuse of this technique can be detrimental to the coaching process. This technique should be used in conjunction with other powerful questioning techniques for the best results. However, when used strategically, it can be a great way to quickly get to the root of a client’s issue.

The Magic Question Technique

The magic question technique is another great tool for coaches who want to understand what drives their client’s behavior or beliefs around something specific. This type of question is best used when a client has identified an issue, but doesn’t have a clear idea on how to move forward with it in order achieve success or reach their goals.

The magic question technique utilizes open-ended questions such as “What do you need?” or “What will help?” which encourages clients reflect on what resources or tools could potentially help them reach their desired outcome. It allows clients to tap into their own creativity and problem solving skills without feeling overwhelmed by too many choices or options from you, the coach.

Furthermore, it helps coaches stay more impartial and remain focused on guiding rather than dictating solutions for clients. This helps build trust between both parties, as well as encourage clients to take ownership of their own lives and decisions moving forward.

These are just a few powerful questioning techniques that can help coaches get the most out of their coaching sessions. Asking your clients the right coaching questions can help you gain a deeper understanding of their needs and drives, as well as provide them with actionable solutions that will help them reach their goals.

As a coach, it’s essential to have these tools in your arsenal and use them effectively to maximize the outcomes of each coaching session.

Conclusion

Asking powerful coaching questions is essential for creating meaningful conversations that result in actionable outcomes for life coaching sessions.

Utilizing techniques such as The 5 Whys Technique or The Magic Question Technique can help coaches delve deeper into underlying issues—while still remaining impartial and helping clients discover potential solutions on their own. However, be mindful not to excessively rely on these techniques, as this can lead to a sharp decrease in their effectiveness.

Ultimately, powerful questions can help facilitate a meaningful dialogue between coaches and their clients that leads to positive outcomes and lasting change. With techniques like these in hand, coaches of all levels can become better equipped to serve their clients in an impactful and transformative way.

Additional Resources:

• 25 Powerful Coaching Questions to Ask Your Clients
• Online Coaching Classes – Training and Certifications
• 7 Strategies for Achieving Success as a Coach