A coaching question
What kind of person are you – at your absolute best?
I’ve written before about what I believe to be one of the most powerful questions you can ask, as a leader or a coach – or anybody really. And here’s another.
If anything, this one is actually even more of a favourite of mine because I just love the impact it has. It also sits really well with one of my core coaching principles – that you coach the person, not the issue they are dealing with.
I use this question sparingly, because it is so powerful. I particularly like it when somebody says something like:
I just don’t know where to start!
“Well,” I’ll say, “What kind of person are you, at your absolute best?” – and that almost always opens up several avenues of approach.
Or a client will say:
Which is the right choice for me?
And I’ll ask it then, “What kind of person are you, at your absolute best?” The choices we make should always be informed by who we are – and I don’t mean the person we are when we ‘re doubting ourselves or holding back or angry with the world, I mean the real person in our core – the absolute best version.
Or somebody will say:
I can’t seem to get on with this colleague no matter what!
And I’ll use that same question then, “Hmm, interesting – what kind of person are you – at your absolute best?” That’s always the version of ourselves to bring forwards when we want to connect well with others. Even or perhaps especially if that version of ourselves is vulnerable or unsure (as the best people often are).
How about you? What are you like at your absolute best?
And as a leader – how would you feel using this type of question? What kind of impact would it have on you, if somebody asked you?
Please leave a comment below if they’re still open at the time of reading, or tweet me @nickrobcoach
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