How to Challenge Client’s Thinking in Coaching
July 2nd, 2010
Powerful questions are arguably one of the most effective and important coaching tools. Therefore, mastering those skills is the basis for being a truly powerful and challenging coach.
However, asking powerful questions, just like any other skill, can be manifested on different levels of expertise and experience. In this article I would like to cover 3 types of questions that take questioning skills to a higher level.
Not only will these questions allow you to present yourself as a really credible coach, they will also challenge your clients, thus moving the whole coaching process to a different level.
What are these questions? They react to certain language patterns that people frequently use to indicate that their thinking about certain subjects is imprecise. Once you recognize those patterns, you can challenge the client right away with the appropriate question.
These patterns are the following:
1.) Cause-Effect Links. People seem to make hypothetical conclusions that when “A” happens (cause), “B” must follow (effect). There is obviously no guarantee that this is the case; it is only the client’s belief, which needs to be challenged. If you do that, most of the time clients realize that indeed that outcome of “A” can be many more things than just “B”. They understand that there are other options available to them and start thinking in a much broader and relaxed mind set.
2.) Magic Thinking Patterns. This happens when clients assume what other people think or they assume that their behavior implies certain outcomes. Again, once clients are challenged, they understand how much of their own thinking and assumptions they were putting into other people’s actions.
3.) Rules of the Road. This happens when people stick with determination to their personal rules and that determines how the rest of the world should be running, too! Needless to say, these patterns are quite fun to challenge and eventually, break!
If you are not afraid of challenging your client, asking the right questions in order to break a certain thinking pattern can bring faster and bigger results for both you and your client.
Natalie Ekberg is an international personal and executive coach and offers self-improving, motivational and coaching e-courses and e-books as well as face to face or telephone coaching.