What makes a question powerful? (secret cheat sheet)

In coaching, powerful questions can shape the conversation, deepen insights, and create transformative shifts for clients. These kinds of questions can't be planned because they're in direct response to what the client is bringing in each moment. However, we can certainly explore the kinds of questions that are most likely to be powerful. 

At the Master Certified Coach (MCC) level, the art of questioning is about:

• tuning into the client with complete presence and awareness
• following the client's lead
• partnering with them to explore and uncover their deepest insights
• going beyond just the goal and exploring who the client is becoming.

I've created a list of what I believe to be powerful questions, all aligned with the core competencies of masterful coaching. I'd love to hear your insights into what makes these questions more powerful than some others out there: 

Competency 1: Demonstrates Ethical Practice
Building a foundation of trust requires honoring the client’s autonomy, confidentiality, and ethical considerations. Questions aligned with this competency respect boundaries while fostering a safe environment.

- “What would make you feel completely supported and safe in this conversation?”
- “How can we ensure this space honors what’s important to you?”
- “What’s essential for you to experience in this session?”

Competency 2: Embodies a Coaching Mindset
Coaching with a client-centered approach means embodying openness, curiosity, and flexibility. These questions help ground the client in their own experience and insights.

- “What perspectives could we explore that you haven’t considered yet?”
- “What learning might you discover by exploring this more deeply?”
- “How could being curious about this lead to new insights for you?”

Competency 3: Establishes and Maintains Agreements
Establishing a clear agreement for each session ensures that both coach and client are aligned on goals and expectations. These questions bring focus to the client’s true needs and outcomes.

- “What would a successful outcome look like for you in this conversation?”
- “What’s the deeper purpose or impact you want to create by working on this?”
- "What will it be like when you've gotten to your goal?"
- “How will you know if we’ve achieved what you need from today’s session?”
- "What needs to shift inside of you to get to what you want?"

Competency 4: Cultivates Trust and Safety
Trust is cultivated through presence and acceptance, creating a supportive environment for the client to be fully open and authentic.

- “What does being truly heard feel like to you?”
- “Is there anything that would help you feel more comfortable sharing openly?”
- “What would help you feel fully seen, heard, and understood in this moment?”

Competency 5: Maintains Presence
Staying fully present with the client, without judgment or distraction, allows space for the client’s growth and transformation. Masterful questions support this deep engagement.

- “What is most alive in this moment for you?”
- “What’s unfolding for you as you share this?”
- “If you paused to tune in, what inner wisdom might want to surface?”

Competency 6: Listens Actively
Listening beyond words, a masterful coach perceives what the client is truly expressing. These questions draw out what might be unsaid or hidden within the client’s words.

- “What’s at the heart of what you’re expressing here?”
- “How do your words resonate with how you’re feeling inside?”
- “If you could name the underlying message in your own words, what would it be?”

Competency 7: Evokes Awareness
Evoking awareness helps clients uncover new insights, connecting them to their values, beliefs, and aspirations. These powerful questions guide clients to fresh realizations.

- “What does this reveal about what truly matters to you?”
- “How does this situation align with your vision of who you want to be?”
- “What is the story you’re telling yourself here? ....  How empowering is that story for you?”

Competency 8: Facilitates Client Growth
Moving from awareness to action, these questions support the client in transforming insights into tangible steps, fostering sustainable change.

- “What small step could you take today to move closer to what you desire?”
- “What commitment can you make to honor what you’ve learned here?”
- “How will you hold yourself accountable for making this change real?”

Overall Mastery: Holding the Client’s Totality and Potential
A masterful coach sees the whole person, inviting them to connect with their fullest potential. These questions encourage clients to step into their strengths and highest aspirations.

- “Who would you be if you leaned into this fully?”
- “What might be possible if you saw this from your highest self?”
- “What do you want to claim for yourself as you move forward?”

Masterful coaching questions are less about providing direction and more about empowering clients to find their own answers. A coach can create a truly transformative experience that is tailored to each client’s unique journey.