The Power of Questioning
ADHD Education
“Take the attitude of a student.
Never be too big to ask questions, never know too much to learn something new. “
- Og Mandino
Coaching is a partnership of equanimity and curiosity.
Both the coach and client are equal partners in the process. The coach facilitates a process of exploration and discovery focused on:
- "Who” the client is
- “What” the client truly wants (aligned to their “who")
Questions are the coach’s currency and the coach’s gift to the client. In the word “question” is the word “quest.” The coach is on a quest to empower the client to find new clarity and awareness.
The coach invites the client to participate in the process through the powerful platform of questioning.
A coach who asks powerful questions provides the client with a natural pause. They can pay attention to these evocative questions that can stimulate their brain. Questioning places the responsibility of the answer on their client.
The coach will actively listen to their client’s words, beliefs, actions, emotions, ideas and more.
Based on what is conveyed, the coach will respond with more empowering language and questions to continue a disciplined conversation that will move their client forward.
Clients with ADHD have been told what to do so many times that when they are asked to think for themselves about what matters, what they are interested in and what is important to them, it opens up a new, uncomfortable entrance directly to the center of their heart.
Questions are not only intended for the rationale side of the brain, they are also intended to invite exploration into the deep core of the client’s spirit.
A compassionate coach is sincerely curious about what the client wants and encourages them to identify and cultivate their own habits of the heart. This is done through powerful questioning which empowers the client to discover what they want and need to support their true authentic self.
When the coach is sincerely curious without any judgment of “who” the client is and “what” they want to do, the client will be empowered to honestly respond to questions posed by their coach.
Where else can a person with ADHD sit down with someone on a weekly basis who is totally focused on “who” they are and “what” they want to do in harmony with their essence?
A curious, well-trained ADHD coach will create an environment where powerful sincere questions will “cause a pause” for the client to pay attention to the parts of their life they never knew existed. The ADHD coach will compassionately challenge them to pursue it.
Telling the client won’t make it happen permanently. Asking the client the right questions and letting the silence pervade will promote an honest response.
Powerful Questioning is what will ignite the client’s process of discovery and eventually provide clues to their unique, inner greatness.
