Upbuild Coaching Bits: Powerful Questions

The heart of coaching (and being curious) is asking powerful questions.

Powerful questions:

• Come from what the person says and what they are talking about, not from a good idea in your head

• Are open-ended and usually start with “what” or “how”

• Are questions that you do not already know the answer to

• Usually help the person move toward what they do want, rather than what they don’t want

• Are often very short (7 words or less)

• Invite engagement, body-mind connection, and specificity

• Build awareness of values

• Elicit new learning or new action.

Examples of powerful questions:

• What’s important about that?

• What do you want?

• How does this plan honor your values?

• If you had a magic wand, what would you do?

• What’s next?

• What else? 

Coaching application: In your next session, ask at least 7 powerful questions with 7 words or less that begin with “what” or “how.” Notice the impact on your client and yourself.

Life application: In your next substantial conversation with a friend, colleague, or family member, ask at least 3 powerful questions with 7 words or less that begin with “what” or “how.” Notice the impact on the other person and yourself.

Relevant Upbuild Content

• [Podcast] The Power of Powerful Questions (Apple / Spotify)

• [Podcast] Safe vs. Quality Problems (Apple / Spotify)

• [Article] How to Create Space Between Stimulus and Response