Coaching Questions for Challenging Workplace Conversations

Coaching Questions for Challenging Workplace Conversations

In the last two blogs we explored coaching questions for different types of conversations.  Here we will simply share a varied selection of coaching questions that can be used in different types of workplace conversations. Coaching Questions for Challenging Workplace Conversations

  • What is your ideal career path here?
  • What will it take to get there?
  • What do you do well?
  • What do you want to do differently?
  • Recognizing that there are outside obligations that impact timeliness and that timeliness is required, how will you ensure you are on time?
  • What is your awareness of the impact you have on the team? Add to this as appropriate.  For example: “The input I am getting and observing myself is that … (insert comments here).  How to you want to address that?”
  • Given the requirements and expectations for your job and that you are not currently meeting them, how do you want to bridge the gap?
  • Given that addressing … (insert comments here) is an expectation for success here, what is your understanding of the implications if you do not address it?
  • What happens if you do address it?
  • What is your choice?
  • It is my goal to help you move forward in the direction you choose. Do you prefer to find a different job, or do you want to bridge the performance gap and be successful in this position?
  • What resources do you have?
  • What resources do you want?
  • What resources will you use?
  • What are your action steps?
  • When will you take them?
  • Describe your ideal outcome.

These questions may be helpful in positive or challenging conversations depending on the specific circumstances.  Worth noting is that during coach training, the importance of short, simple, open-ended questions starting primarily with the words ‘what’ or ‘how’ is emphasized.

 

Cathy Liska

For content specific to coach training and coaching, guest blog posts are welcome.

Most blog posts here are written or curated by Cathy Liska, Guide from the Side®, CDP, MCC.

Cathy is CEO/Founder of the Center for Coaching Certification, CCC. As Guide from the Side®, she is a sought-after trainer and coach with over 30 years of experience in business management and ownership. Cathy built her diverse team at CCC that includes trainers, customer service, and coaches. She was Co-Leader for ICF’s Ethics Community of Practice, on the Leadership Team for the review and updating of the Code of Ethics in 2024, and active in the Ethics Water Cooler. To ensure she stays current in related areas of expertise, Cathy has earned the following: ICF’s Master Certified Coach (MCC), Certified Coach Trainer, Certified Consumer Credit Counselor, Certificate of Excellence in Nonprofit Leadership and Management, Grief Support Group Facilitator, Certified in the Drucker Self-Assessment Tool, Certified Apartment Manager, Certified Civil and Family Mediator, and Certified in DISC.

Cathy’s clients range from attorneys to corporate executives, government to nonprofit, entrepreneurs to children, under or unemployed to newly retired. She specializes in communication, management, conflict, and leadership. Her personal mission statement is “People.” Cathy is known for her passion to serve others so they achieve the results they want.

Podcast: https://www.coachcert.com/podcast.html

Publications: Coaching Perspectives (a series of books with chapters by coach training graduates) https://www.coachcert.com/resources/recommended-reading/coaching-perspectives-series-by-the-center-for-coaching-certification-and-more.html

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