In the previous blog we talked about what a high quality question was and what makes a question high quality. Here we are going to expand further…
The final aspect that makes a question high quality
High Quality Questions encourage the individual to focus on specific details. For example, rather than asking a general question such as, “how much help do you want from others?” a higher quality question would be, “what specific help would be of most use to you, that others could provide?”. Other words that are commonly used when coaching with high quality questions are “who”, “when” and “where”. These will help the person identify specific individuals, groups or elicit information about or from people.
The two types of High Quality Questions
There are two types of H.Q.Q (High Quality Question). They are; questions that engage the imagination and questions that focus the mind. Both types are important and are used at various stages of Go MAD coaching.
Questions that focus the mind
Questions that focus the mind are predominately used to help the individuals: assess motivation and self-belief; define goals/sub-goals; make choices; plan priorities; and take personal responsibility.
Each question must be relevant to the Go MAD framework i.e. its purpose is to help the other person consider the difference they want to make in relation to either a Go MAD key principle or one of the links in the framework (http://www.gomadthinking.com/about/framework). Any person observing the coaching session should easily be able to identify which part of the Go MAD Framework the coach is questioning about.
Questions that engage the imagination
These questions are mainly used to visualise future success; generate possibilities; create breakthroughs in thinking; and strengthen self-belief. Go MAD coaches typically use the following principles and links for this:
- Define a Goal link with Involve Others [link=influencing and communication possibilities]
- Involve Others link with Plan Priorities [link = possible tasks/obstacles]
- Self-Belief (strengthen confidence and mental programming possibilities)
Remember control the system not the content
It can be hard not to get sucked into the content/situation that you are coaching the other person through. However, you must remember that coaching in its purist sense is not about teaching, advising, sharing knowledge or problem solving. The coach is responsible for using good coaching skills and applying the Go MAD Thinking System; the individual is responsible for their own thoughts and development actions.
(Includes extracts taken from the book ‘Go MAD About Coaching’ by Andy Gilbert and Ian Chakravorty)