Core Coaching Competency - Powerful Questions Part 2

One of the 11 core coaching competencies of the ICF is powerful questions. In my mind, powerful questions can create the backbone of any group coaching process. The ICF defines powerful questioning as the "ability to ask questions that reveal the information needed for maximum benefit to the coaching relationship and the client".

Within this definition there are four sub-components:
1. Asks questions that reflect active listening and an understanding of the client's perspective.
2. Asks questions that evoke discovery, insight, commitment, or action (e.g. those that challenge the client's assumptions)
3. Asks open-ended questions that create greater clarity, possibility or new learning
4. Asks questions that move the client towards what they desire, not questions that ask for he client to justify or look backwards.
Source: Coachfederation.org (11 Core Coaching Competencies - Minimum Skill Requirements)

In your own coaching conversations this week reflect on the following:
1. What do I notice about the impact of my questions?
2. Do my questions create greater clarity, possibility or new learning?
3. How do the questions match the needs of the client perspectives present
4. How do these question focus on the future and what the client's goals are?

One area I continue to be very interested in is the impact of learning styles and the coaching process. Notice the impact of how you phrase your questions to different group members. If there are gorup members who are more visual, they may respond better to "What does it look like?" versus a person who is more kinesthetic who may respond better to "What does it feel like?".

A couple of months ago one of my newsletter articles focused on Powerful Questions. You may want to check it out here. It includes links to some other resources you may find useful. If you have the book, Effective Group Coaching, you may want to check out pages 148-150 for a quick list of some standard questions you may find useful at different parts of the coaching process (i.e. check in, closure).

Have a terrific week!

Jennifer

Jennifer Britton
GroupCoachingEssentials.com
Phone: 416.996.TEAM (8326)

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