So, What Next?

Lately, I’ve been considering the art of the question.

Coaching, it turns out, is mostly about asking questions. The right question, at the right moment, can kickstart a conversation, can cause a change, can reframe a problem, can get under the skin.

Coaching, or teaching, or really any conversation is really about causing the reaction that is the answer. A question is a trigger to make someone think.

But the first question isn’t that hard. It can be scripted, or programmed, or templated. A bot could certainly do it.

“So, what’s on your mind?” “What can I help you with today?” “What kept you up last night?” “What’s the most pressing item on your list?”

The challenge isn’t asking the question. The challenge is using the answer as a trigger. The trigger for the followup question. The followup where the magic happens.

The challenge is being fully engaged, not jumping ahead, and using your heart, mind, insight, or gut to listen and decide, in an instant, what to ask next.

The first question can cause thinking, but it’s the followup that pushes the conversation forward.

Which, of course, is the point.

Today’s Question: If we’re use to practicing our first question, how can we practice following up?