Crafting Better Questions Part 3

In this post I’d like to focus on the tendency many coaches have to ask about?other?people besides the client.

You might find yourself asking about third parties with questions like, “What does your boss think about this?” or “How do you think your kids would like that?” or “What do you think your husband would do?”?

Honestly, who cares? Those people are not the ones being coached. It's not about them. It's about the client. And your job is to keep the focus and attention on the client.

Why?

First, they hired you to coach?them, not the kid, the boss, or the husband. And second, the more you move the spotlight away from the client, the easier it is for them to hide behind a convenient scapegoat.

So instead of asking “What does your boss think?”, you might ask “What do?you?think?”

Instead of asking the client, “How would your kids like that?” you can ask “How would?you?like that?”

And instead of asking “What do you think your husband would do?”, change it to “What will?you?do?”

Simply keep the third parties out of it. They’re distracting, and focusing on them draws the client away from working on themselves. Now, will the sky cave in if you slip up and ask about someone other than the client? No, but if you want to be a really good coach, keep those third-parties out of your questions.

About the Author ?

Jennifer Powers is an ICF Master Certified Coach and founder of Powerhouse Coaching. Powerhouse Coaching specializes in helping coaches attain their ICF credential. They offer 10-hour Group Mentor Coaching Classes for coaches wanting to attain or renew their ACC, PCC or MCC ? credentialing from the International Coaching Federation . Powerhouse Coaching also offers 75 hour ICF Level 3 Master Certified Coach courses to coaches wanting to move from PCC to MCC. Professional coaches can also join the Powerhouse Coaching Club which features skill building and business building for an international community of coaches.?Learn more at www.phcoach.com.