I think “And what else?” is the best coaching question in the world. It does two things: It extends the period of curiosity, and it tames your advice monster.
Saved by Matthew Thompson and
I think “And what else?” is the best coaching question in the world. It does two things: It extends the period of curiosity, and it tames your advice monster.
Instead of asking: "Do you have any questions?", ask "What questions do you have?"
The first almost always results in silence, while the second helps people feel comfortable asking questions.
That’s only part of what’s required to ask powerful Why questions. To do so, we must: • Step back. • Notice what others miss. • Challenge assumptions (including our own). • Gain a deeper understanding of the situation or problem at hand, through contextual inquiry. • Question the questions we’re asking. • Take ownership of a particular question.
Warren Berger • A More Beautiful Question: The Power of Inquiry to Spark Breakthrough Ideas
Stay curious. Improve the quality of questions before getting to work on answers. Use more questions to see beyond the obvious answers. Improve group dynamics by ensuring there is enough attention given to asking the right questions. Be interested.
Laurence Endersen • Pebbles of Perception: How a Few Good Choices Make All The Difference
Good questions are the most underrated leadership tool. Questions cause thinking, and good questions cause the right thinking.
Matt Lerner • Growth Levers and How to Find Them
Once you have a working list of questions, you can follow up with related questions that will help you find answers, like “Who can I ask?” “What could I read?” and “What could I try?”
Josh Kaufman • The Personal MBA: A World-Class Business Education in a Single Volume
