ByOnlinecourses55
The meaningful questions 1 - coaching business
Meaningful questions are one of the most valuable resources a coach has during discovery sessions with clients. They are used to induce deep analysis and self-discovery. Through these questions, answers are formulated that help the client achieve key goals for personal development. Although they can be used at any time during the session, their use tends to be generalized in the initial sessions, given their weight in the cognitive input.
In this guide, we will address some key elements on this topic so that you can distinguish meaningful questions from common ones, knowing how to use them in each case to achieve the desired effects.
Common questions are those that we usually ask, generally when we want to satisfy a doubt. Their purpose is simply to obtain an answer, without provoking side effects or seeking an in-depth analysis. When we ask a common question, we assume that the person being questioned knows the answer.
In contrast, meaningful questions seek to provoke a secondary effect. They are not designed just to satisfy a curiosity, but are intended to facilitate the client's self-discovery. This type of question induces deeper analysis and raises issues necessary to develop well-defined criteria. We do not expect simple answers, we want the interrogated person to question and reflect on various aspects in order to be able to answer himself.
In formulating a meaningful question, the objective is to make the client notice certain elements that often go unnoticed. We are looking for answers that are not predefined by common sense, but that require a deep analysis and that can open a debate if necessary. For example: What do you think are your three most negative traits that you should work on?
Asking your client about their negative traits and forcing them to identify three of them has a powerful effect on their process of self-discovery and self-criticism. To answer this question, the client will need to spend time on an honest self-perception, as it is complex to identify negative aspects due to their impact on our ego.
Take the time to formulate your meaningful questions effectively. Consider what you want to encourage in your client and use them as a resource to promote deep thinking and self-discovery.
Although the simplest answer would be that you can ask as many meaningful questions as you wish, there is an important point to keep in mind. Unlike common questions, meaningful questions require a much higher state of concentration and mental effort. When the client is faced with a meaningful question, he or she must use all his or her analytical skills, which can be exhausting.
Therefore, do not abuse the number of such questions in a single session. Evaluate the client's state of mind so as not to saturate him or her and to avoid the effects being contrary to what you expected.
