Effective leadership isn't about having all the solutions. It's about guiding others to find their own. Someone who knows more than most on this topic is Adam Goodman-Smith (also known as The Self Belief Coach).
Drawing on his extensive experience coaching leaders and teams, our subject matter expert Adam shares 12 workplace coaching questions every leader should have in their back pocket ready to spark reflection and growth within their teams…
As a leader, you don’t need to have all the answers. In fact, one of the most powerful things you can do for someone is ask a question and then stay quiet long enough for the other person to think.
Coaching questions aren’t just for formal development conversations. They’re available to you all day, every day. They’re great for check-ins, offering feedback and everyday moments where you want to support someone to reflect, grow and think for themselves.
The trick? Keep your questions open, curious and non-judgmental. Disarmingly simple.
Some of the most powerful coaching questions are also the simplest. Questions like:
“What do you want?”
“What’s really going on for you right now?”
“What’s getting in your way?”
They work because they stop someone in their tracks. Often, people don’t need clever questions or advice - they just need space to say their thoughts out loud. That alone can bring clarity and lead to action.
Silence is one of the most powerful tools in your coaching toolkit. Let the silence do the work.
When you resist the urge to fill the gap, you give people space to dig deep, reflect and find their own answers. That’s where the magic happens. Research shows that when we find our own solutions, we are more likely to take action and see things through.
Here are 12 go-to coaching questions every leader should have ready. Use them as they are, or adapt the language to suit your style:
Simple and open. It gives the other person control and invites honesty - especially useful when you’re not sure where to start.
Great for goal-setting, projects or clarifying expectations. Helps people focus on outcomes rather than just tasks.
Use this to explore blockers - internal or external. It encourages people to think beyond the surface and get real about challenges. Follow up with “How might you overcome that?”
Encourages people to draw on their own experience. It’s a confidence booster and a great way to avoid problem-solving for them.
This classic question invites creative thinking. Ask it once and then ask it again. The best ideas often come after a pause.
Perfect for someone who feels overwhelmed. It breaks the task down, builds momentum and keeps things realistic.
Encourages collaboration and helps people realise they don’t have to do everything alone.
Helpful when someone seems stuck or is going in circles. It gets to the root of what’s really going on.
Brings in values and motivation - useful when someone seems hesitant or unclear about their “why.”
Helps shift perspective, challenge assumptions and unlock fresh thinking.
An unexpected but powerful one. It helps weigh up urgency, impact, or emotional response. Sometimes, doing nothing is a valid option.
A brilliant closer. Moves the conversation towards action and clarity without you having to give the answer.
If you want to genuinely empower your team, these 12 coaching questions are a solid place to start. You'll find that by using them, your employees will unlock their potential and drive meaningful growth in your organisation.
Let me know how you get on!
Our subject matter expert, Adam Goodman-Smith (also known as The Self-Belief Coach), is an accredited confidence and career coach. He provides 1:1 coaching and corporate workshops on confidence, imposterism, team strengths, and leads the Proud Leaders Programme™ for LGBTQ+ talent.
With over 10 years in leadership development and coaching, Adam has worked with Boots, Channel 4, the NHS, and more. A regular on BBC Radio and TV, Adam has also authored his debut self-help book, The Way of The Diva.