7 questions to become a better leader through coaching
Questions are the most powerful tool that we have in life to align different points of view and understand the reality of those around you. “The Coaching Habit” book proposes these 7 questions:
What’s on your mind? > The kick-start question. That’s an invitation to tell you anything or everything. Try to focus the conversation even further by using the 3P model. This will allow you to center the conversation on a project, a person or a pattern.
And what else? > The awe question. The real magic, where you will bring awareness to the conversation and you will go deeper by getting more options and most of the time better insights. The more quality inputs you have, the greater the success.
What’s the real challenge here for you? > The focus question. After this question, you will hear the sound of silence, you will see the person thinking and figuring out the answer.
What do you want? > The foundation question. Try to find and understand the real desire. Manfred Max-Neef established nine self-explanatory universal needs (Affection, Creation, Recreation, Freedom, Identity, Understanding, Participation, Protection, Subsistence).
How can I help? > The lazy question. Don’t assume anything. Avoid misunderstandings by asking what you can do to help. This question will allow you not only to be more effective, but also more respected.
If you are saying YES to this, what are you saying NO to? > The strategic question. Strategy is about choosing. Michael Porter said, “the essence of strategy is choosing what not to do”. This question examines the consequences and implications of our decisions. With this answer, you will have a clearer picture of their intentions.
What was most useful for you? > The learning question. This question validates that the whole coaching process is valuable and useful. The person will have to pay attention to the most important new agreements/commitments that emerge from the conversation.
Bottom line, saying less and asking more will help you become the best leader you can be.
TL;DR > Read the CARD
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