As a result of questions a coach asks, or observations a coach offers, clients will often say something like; “I’ve never thought of ‘it’ (my situation or myself) in that way before.” “That’s a different way for me to look...
Category: #6 – Powerful Questioning
Train like an Olympian
The Winter Olympic Games 2022 have been underway for about 11 days so far, with about 5 days remaining. Every 4 years feels like a treasure chest to me, watching the best athletes in the world compete against each other...
Butterfly on the Wall Coaching Series
Have you ever wanted to be a "butterfly" on the wall hanging out (inconspicuously, of course) while an experienced coach is coaching their client? Here's a very rare, unique opportunity to get an insider's peek into the real relationship...
The What Who and How of Coaching
Every single coaching client (and their corporation) I’ve worked with over the past 21 years wants a result from our coaching. That’s a given in every coaching engagement. Yet the way we engage with our client makes a huge difference...
Craft customized questions
Two of the most powerful tools of trade of a professional coach is really listening to the client, and asking open-ended questions informed by that listening, which allow the client to discover something for themselves. The ICF definition of Powerful...
Helicopter coaching views
I’m always searching for new and interesting ways to describe coaching skills to the coaches I’m mentoring toward their ICF credential. This is one metaphor I’ve used for a while, so thought I’d share it here too. It involves a...
What is the gap your coaching client wants to close?
Most often, our clients come to a coaching session with a topic they want to explore. Our initial focus as the coach is to understand exactly what it is about their topic they want more clarity around, in order to...
The Power of using How questions
Recently, one of our mentoring clients was coaching on our group mentoring call, and we noticed a very powerful thing occur. The coach (thank you Laura) was using a lot of “How” questions. The client was able to articulate her...
Exploring the nuances of the ICF PCC Markers for Competency #6 “Powerful Questioning”
By Karen Boskemper, PCC and Co-leader of The Mentor Coaching Group As an ICF Assessor and Mentor Coach, I'm always working with the PCC Markers. As with everything new that we learn, it takes time for our neural pathways to...
Target these Competencies for Client Success!
Let’s face it; there’s nothing like receiving some acknowledgement to make you feel good! As coaches and mentors, listening for what we can genuinely acknowledge in our client is an essential skill, one that builds trust and supports the client...