The Coaching Training Institute (CTI) states “Powerful questions are provocative queries that put a halt to evasion and confusion. By asking the powerful question, the coach invites the client to clarity, action, and discovery at a whole new level. As you can see from the following examples, these generally are open-ended questions that create greater...

Here’s an article written over a decade ago and can be found at a few university web sites. So far, it seems to with stand the test of time and is a good read for those who enjoy more than a few paragraphs on a topic. the-art-of-powerful-questions

Powerful questions are tool for coaches to help coachees look deeper, evade cognitive bias and bring clarity. Powerful questions are used to provoke thought and often lead to action. Coaches shouldn’t have all the answers and when used correctly, powerful questions can lead a coachee to find the answers.   Powerful questions are also key...

This great TED article follows a simple coaching practice for teams and while it focuses on having conversations with teens, the concepts apply to conversing with everyone. Think about a typical coaching engagement focused on team building. The steps are often as follows: Set the stage Ask powerful questions Respond (not react) Constructive disagreement Apologize...

This is a really great article, “Coaching Isn’t Just Asking Questions” and all new coaches should read. Yes, we do need to ask powerful questions and listen but that doesn’t mean were nothing more than a sounding-wall. We have experience and often a person’s cognitive bias is blocking the obvious. Of course we can’t just...