All coaches know that questions have the power to change our relationships, our perspectives, our beliefs, our self-image and, yes, questions even have the power to change lives.
So effective, timely questions are ALWAYS essential tools for the coach’s ability to successfully meet each moment in his evolving relationship with his clients. Almost always, questions trump “telling” or advising. Questions make us think. Creating answers motivate us to act.
So remember to prefer to ask and probe rather than tell and advise. Generally, what most people need and want is not your advice on what to do, rather motivation to do it. And those people are more likely to be motivated to act on their own ideas.
I have found that an acceptable but less than perfect solution generated by my client is almost always than a more perfect answer coming from me. Questions create buy-in by clients. Buy-in is essential to client acting to get the results.