Now that you know the GROW framework, let's master the art of asking powerful questions. The quality of your questions determines the depth of insight your team members discover.
Powerful questions unlock thinking rather than just gathering information.
Engagement Message
What's the difference between "Are you happy at work?" and "What energizes you most about your role?"
Open-ended questions start conversations, while closed questions end them. "Did you meet your deadline?" gets a yes/no. "What helped you succeed with that deadline?" opens exploration.
Open-ended questions typically start with What, How, When, Where, or Who.
Engagement Message
Which question type do you use more often in your current conversations?
Non-leading questions let people reach their own conclusions. Leading questions push toward your preferred answer.
Leading: "Don't you think you should delegate more?" Non-leading: "How might you approach your workload differently?"
Engagement Message
Can you spot how the non-leading version creates more authentic discovery?
For Goal questions, help them get specific and meaningful. Instead of "What's your goal?" try "What would success look like three months from now?"
Other powerful Goal questions: "What outcome would make this effort worthwhile?" or "How will you know you've achieved this?"
Engagement Message
What makes these questions more effective than simply asking "What do you want?"
For Reality questions, explore the current situation without judgment. "What's working well right now?" and "What obstacles are you facing?" create honest assessment.
Avoid "Why didn't you..." questions which trigger defensiveness. Focus on understanding, not evaluating.
Engagement Message
How might defensive responses shut down productive coaching conversations?
