How to Question in Coaching

The use of questions is the most effective tool in a coach's toolbox.

I like to use the analogy of the 'zoom' function, which you can find on any photo-editing program or on Google Earth, when describing the use of questions.

For example, a client might explain a situation in vague and general terms. I can then 'zoom-in' using questions to get him/her to be more specific and concrete. I can also use questions to 'zoom-out' to get a better understanding of how his/her explanation fits into the context of the bigger picture.

ZOOM-IN

When people describe a situation there is the natural tendency to use rather general terms. The reason for this is that they have personally experienced the situation and have had time to integrate that expereince into their map of the world.

An experience can always be broken down into smaller components. The person who has had the experience has had plenty of time to integrate it. He/she generally does not recall the specific components of that experience, and simply recalls it as one, indivisable event.

Zoom-in questions are important for bringing details into the light of day where they can be examined and probed. Below are some examples of questions for zooming-in:
• can you elaborate on...?
• what do you mean by...?
• can you be more specific about...?

ZOOM-OUT

There is also the tendency for people to get lost in details. They get their heads so buried in the specifics that they no longer have a clear perspective of the situation. This can happen when people are stressed (negatively), feel overwhelmed or lose the sense of control. Simply stated, they only see the individual grass blade and not the lawn.

Zoom-out questions are important in order to help people gain perspective. When a person is able to see the bigger picture it helps them to be more solution-focused than problem-focused.

Helping people gain a birds-eye perspective on their situation puts their problem into context. When they can see how their situation fits into the overall map, people gain back the feeling of being in control and having oversight. In turn, reducing the amount of negative stress.

Examples of zoom-out questions:
• can you put this into context for me?
• how does this situation sit in relation to...?
• how does this fit into what you previously described to me?

The quality of question you ask will determine the quality of answer you receive.

- On the road with my iPhone