International Coach Federation

We all know that a strong opening question at the beginning of a coaching session can really help set the tone for a productive and insight-full meeting.  How do you go beyond “What’s gone well since the last time we met?” and “What have been your biggest challenges?” 

• Since the last time we met, if I were to interview your colleagues at work and ask them what changes they’ve seen in your behaviors, what would they say?
• Consider what has happened to you in your life and work since the last time we met… If you were going to write a book about it, what would the title be?
• On a scale of 1 to 10 -- 1 representing where you were during our last session and 10 representing where you would like to have been by today -- where are you now?
• Part of your goal is [insert the goal here … e.g., being more succinct… speaking more confidently, etc.] Please demonstrate that goal while summarizing the progress you‘ve made since the last time we met.
• What have you learned about yourself [professionally, personally] since our last meeting?
• How have you brought out the best of you in the time since we last connected?

Brenda Bence