Effective leaders coach their people. They say less and ask more. They give less advice and ask more questions. When you ask someone a question, and they generate the answer themselves, the odds of them learning multiply.
In his book The Coaching Habit, Michael Bungay Stanier suggests using the following seven questions to become a more effective coach. These questions work with anyone: colleagues, bosses, and family members. Ask them in order, one at a time.
❒ “What’s on your mind?”
❒ “And what else?”
❒ “What’s the real challenge here for you?”
❒ “What do you want?”
❒ “How can I help?”
❒ “If you’re saying yes to this, what are you saying no to?”
❒ “What was most useful for you?”
For more on coaching, see my notes from The Coaching Habit.