People often get confused between coaching conversations and other conversations. As a matter of fact, both are different. The difference lies between the number of questions asked and the type of questions asked. For making a good coaching question, there are several important tips. Follow them and see how the conversation opens up.

1. Five Tips for Effective Coaching Questions
Executive Coaching
People always ask me, “What exactly is coaching and how is it different from any other
conversation?”
A coaching conversation is different from other conversations due to the amount of
questions asked, and the type of questions asked.
In general, a coach should be doing 80% listening and 20% talking. If a coach is doing more
talking than listening, then the coach is training or lecturing. There’s nothing wrong with
training or lecturing, in certain situations. However, it’s not coaching. But if a coach is asking
some powerful questions and then listening most of the time, you have a situation where the
coachee is finding the solutions herself, instead of being told what to do. This frees up the
coach to work on other projects and empowers the coachee to move forward on her own.
So what makes a good coaching question? Here are five tips to keep in mind:
 Menu

2. 1. Keep them Open
2. Keep them Short and Stupid
3. Keep them Advice-Free
4. Keep them Forward-Focused
5. Keep them Thought Provoking
1. Keep them Open
A coach wants her coachee to determine the problem and solutions by himself. Asking open
questions that start with what, who and how allows this to happen; using questions that start
with did, will, have and why actually shut down a conversation. Here is an example:
Coachee:
I missed my deadline again.
Typical manager reply:
Yea, I know. Why did you do that?
Better coaching question:
What got in your way?
The typical manager reply puts the coachee on the defensive, making him defend himself.
The coaching question opens up the situation, without judgment or blame. It allows the
coachee to focus on what got in the way, and then eventually what he wants to be different in
the future and then eventually what steps he’ll take to get there.
In my next blog, I’ll go through the other four tips for good coaching questions. In the
meantime, give it a try…. when you’re next talking to an employee, student, child or colleague,
practice asking questions that begin with what, who or how and see what happens. You’ll be
surprised to see how the conversation opens up!
Leave a comment below, send us an email, or find us on Twitter.
Subscribe To Our Newsletter

3. ← Previous Post Next Post →
CHCI Infographics
Manage Your Energy To Reduce Stress
Tips For Effective Coaching Questions
The Business Case of Coaching
Categories
Agility
Blog
Case Study
Change Management
Collaboration
Critical Thinking
Crucial Conversations
Demographics
Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging
Emotional Intelligence
Employee Engagement
Energy Management
Executive Coaching
Federal Hiring
Human Capital Management
Leadership Development
Management Tips
News & Events
Onboarding
Organizational Competencies
Organizational Culture
People & HR Analytics
Purpose
Team Building
Team Management
Telework
The Future of Work

4. Training and Development
Values
Recent Posts
Creating Goals That Last
These People Who Followed Their Passions Share How And Why They Did It
How Do You Attract the Best Talent? Five Companies Exemplify Recruiting Innovation
Future Focused Leaders Create Cultures of Purpose
Five Tips to Transform Talent in the Workplace
Search …
Increase The Effectiveness Of Your Leaders And Employees.
S I G N U P H E R E !
At A Glance
CHCI is dedicated to improving organizational performance through improved people management. We specialize in Strategic
Consulting, People Analytics, Executive Coaching, Training and Education, and Leadership Development.
Solutions

Sear


5. Training & Education
Human Capital Management Consulting

Executive Coaching

People Analytics

Leadership Development

Speaking Engagements

Resources
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Subscribe!
Blog

Pay Invoice

CHCI Service Brochure

Subscribe!
Get In Touch
  Follow
851
Office Location
44 Canal Center Plaza, Suite G1
Alexandria, VA 22314
(Washington DC Area)

(571) 970-4250 Ext. 113

Contact us


6. Copyright © 2021 Center for Human Capital Innovation | Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions