15 powerful questions you can use to lead your team

‘It is not the answer that enlightens, but the question’ – this is a trait that great leaders and fantastic coaches have.

In coaching, asking the right questions is fundamental to help guide a coachee to the right path and solution for them. In principle, this goes against our nature of trying to directly fix.

Great coaches take a step back through active listening and a style of questioning that empowers the coachee (employee/client) to grow through self-reflection. Great coaching questions should help the coachee or employee to gain clarity and move forward through identifying a number of effective options. These questions are usually open-ended questions which help overcome styles of unhelpful thinking or limiting beliefs.

15 powerful questions that you can use with your direct reports

Situation analysis

• What do you think of it?
• How do you feel about it?
• What do you think is best?

Obtaining clarification

• Tell me more about it
• What do you mean?
• Can you elaborate further?

Evaluating an issue

• What is the challenge?
• What is the worst case scenario?
• How can you cope with this?
• How does this align with your objectives?

Moving forward

• What are your options?
• Which of your options resonates with you most?
• Who can you ask for help?
• Are there any resources you can tap into?
• If I was in your situation what would you advise me to do?