Photo Credit R. Baldwin

Here’s a segment from my TEDx Lausanne Talk on 7 May 2018:

When someone comes to you with an idea of something they want to do, but they’re still wondering about it, instead of jumping in to give them all sorts of advice, try asking these 4 questions!

• What do you really want? Let them formulate and describe their wish in detail.
• Why is this important to you? Get them to find the meaning, the sense, the value of it.
• How will you go about it? Help them explore how to move forward.
• When will you start? Invite them to take action.

Listen carefully, don’t interrupt, let them think it through.

It’s their idea, your questions will help them work out their solution.

It seems so easy, it’s almost ridiculous, right? But that’s it.  Even a small step into a coaching posture can lead to big changes.

Next time a colleague, your spouse, or your teenage kid comes with a problem or maybe a timid dream, ask these simple questions,  and surprise them with what they will discover!

Try the 4 questions, and let me know what happened with a comment below!

© 2018 Saba Imru-Mathieu 

Saba is responsible for organizational development initiatives, coaching culture implementation, and the coaching and educational programs at Leaders Today. As the founding partner, her work focuses on developing international leaders, fostering collaboration in multicultural workplaces, and advancing the skills of coaches within global organizations.