Leadership

Coaching and mentoring

Help someone think more clearly without immediately taking over the answer.

A practical starting point

Three principles to take into the conversation

  1. 1

    Ask what outcome the person wants before suggesting a path.

  2. 2

    Use questions that reveal options, constraints, and trade-offs.

  3. 3

    Offer experience as a perspective, not as the only correct answer.

Try this opening

“What would a good outcome look like from your point of view?”

Adapt this opening to your situation and say it in your own words.

Prepare in a few minutes

  • Write down the outcome you want from the conversation.
  • Separate what you observed from what you assume.
  • Choose one point the other person needs to understand.
  • Plan a question that makes room for their perspective.