MACC – 4TH ROUND TABLE ON 23 AUGUST 2009

23 August 2009, 3.00 pm was a hot Sunday afternoon. When we could have chosen to laze around, passion for coaching got over 9 of us to gather together at the MACC Office located in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, to share and learn more depth about coaching. This included our master coach, Michael Heah, who was present to provide us with valuable facilitation and feedback. Chairing the meeting was Bob Lim, President of the Protem Committee.

The focus of the day was “POWERFUL QUESTIONING”.

So, what exactly do we mean by Powerful Questioning? Asking questions – sounds easy?

Wait! Let’s get more clarity here - Powerful questioning in accordance to ICF’s (International Coaching Federation) description means, “Ability to ask questions that reveal the information needed for maximum benefit to the coaching relationship and the client” i.e.

• Asks questions that reflect active listening and an understanding of the client's perspective,
• Asks questions that evoke discovery, insight, commitment or action (e.g., those that challenge the client's assumptions),
• Asks open-ended questions that create greater clarity, possibility or new learning
• Asks questions that move the client towards what they desire, not questions that ask for the client to justify or look backwards.

The session kicked off with members defining in their own words their understanding of the above clauses. Some seeking the understanding of what it really means while some challenge the description for clarity. One of the key discussions was on the type of questions, in particular, on the usage of “leading questions”. Do we use leading questions in our coaching sessions? If yes, under what circumstances?

A case study was also tabled for discussion. In line with the focus of the day on Powerful Questioning, each member present took turn to practise powerful questions to help the “coachee” get clarity of the issue. The focus of the questions was to move the “coachee” forward in the various key stages of the coaching protocols.

Interested to learn more about coaching?

MACC – 5TH ROUND TABLE ON 19TH SEP 2009

Join us for the next MACC for 2 hours of sharing and learning on “POWERFUL LISTENING’. It will be a time well-spent and we certainly look forward to have you join us.


Compiled by : Helen Teh