How Do I Ask Powerful Questions?

Guest Post by Karen Zando

“How do I ask powerful questions?” is something I am asked frequently.

I sense people hope I will provide a formula or, better yet, a list of questions that can be used when a coaching opportunity arises. This presupposes the power of the question is in its construction when in reality the real power is found in the way it relates to the person being coached (PBC) in the moment we are coaching. What is a powerful question one day may be far less powerful on another day or with another person because it does not meet them in the present moment.

In order to connect with the PBC in real time, we must begin to master another skill: listening beyond words. Asking powerful questions and listening beyond words go hand in hand. They are like two wings of an airplane. You need them both. Together they provide greater lift to your coaching.

Jesus exemplified this. After searching for Jesus in Jerusalem, his parents found Him in the temple both listening and asking questions. (Luke 2:46)

There are many skills we can learn and practice to become better listeners. Unless we start at a more basic level these skills lose their effectiveness. In their book, Coaching for Christian Leaders, Linda Miller and Chad Hall offer three foundational practices that aid us in the art of listening.

1. Stay present. We must learn to set aside all distractions that will divert our attention from the PBC. Some obvious culprits include: email, text messages, our ‘to do’ list, and the inner dialog running through our own mind as we coach. Many people believe they can multitask, but when it comes to two activities involving words, research has shown this is not possible. Prove it to yourself. Attempt to write out the words to your favorite Bible verse while you sing your National Anthem.
2. Stay focused. Concentrate on what the PBC is saying. Recognize when your mind has wandered and pull your attention back to the PBC. If you lose focus try this technique. In your mind say what the PBC is saying word for word. (You can practice this while watching TV or while on the phone.) You do not do this for the entire coaching conversation but only long enough to refocus your attention to the PBC.
3. Avoid self-referencing. To maintain our focus on the PBC, it is good to remove any referencing to ourselves. Do this by removing words like “I” and “me”. Instead of “Tell me more about that” try “Say more about that.” Instead of saying “I wonder what might motivate you,” ask “What might motivate you?”

By learning to stay present, stay focused, and to avoid self-referencing, we are better able to listen beyond words, noticing voice inflection, pace, tone of voice and the energy of the PBC. This enables us to meet the PBC in the moment, and ask powerful questions to the PBC propel forward.

Karen Zando helps to develop current and future leaders for an international nonprofit. She is a Certified Life Coach and a Sports Chaplain. She has served as a chaplain at a number of Olympic and Paralympic Games. Her desire is to encourage, equip and empower others to reach their full potential in all aspects of their life.