The 10 Best & Worst Coaching Questions, According To ChatGPT (2024)

Following up on ourarticle on the coaching application of ChatGPT, we wanted to test the tool to see how coaches could really use it. We asked it to give us the best and worst coaching questions to ask, and we were surprised with the quality of the answers. Check below.

WHAT WE ASKED: "What are the most powerful coaching questions?"

1. “What do you want?” or “What’s important to you?” – Helps clients to identify their goals and desired outcomes.
2. “What’s stopping you?” – Helps clients to identify and overcome obstacles that are preventing them from achieving their goals.
3. “What do you need to know or do to achieve this?” – Helps clients to identify the specific actions they need to take to reach their goals.
4. “What is your vision for the future?” – Helps clients to create a clear and compelling vision of their desired future.
5. “What are you most proud of?” – Helps clients to tap into their strengths and build self-esteem.
6. “What can you do differently?” – Helps clients to explore new possibilities and create new solutions.
7. “What do you want to learn or gain from this experience?” – Helps clients to identify the specific outcomes they hope to achieve from the coaching process.
8. “What would success look like for you?” – Helps clients to define their own success and create a clear roadmap for achieving it.
9. “What are you willing to do to achieve this?” – Helps clients to identify the specific actions they are committed to taking to reach their goals.
10. “What are you grateful for?” – Helps clients to focus on the positive aspects of their lives and develop a sense of gratitude.

WE THEN ASKED: "What about the worst coaching questions?"

1. “Why did you do that?” – This question can be accusatory or judgmental and may make clients feel defensive.
2. “What’s wrong with you?” – This question can be negative and puts the client in a state of self-doubt, it’s not constructive or empowering.
3. “How do you think you should fix this?” – This question puts the responsibility of finding a solution solely on the client and can make them feel overwhelmed.
4. “What’s your problem?” – This question can be dismissive, it implies that the client’s concern is not important.
5. “Why can’t you just do it?” – This question can be dismissive, it implies that the client is not capable of making the change they want.
6. “What’s your excuse?” – This question can be dismissive, it implies that the client is making excuses for not achieving their goals.
7. “Why don’t you just try harder?” – This question can be dismissive, it implies that the client is not putting in enough effort.
8. “Have you tried…?” – This question can be dismissive, it implies that the client hasn’t thought of a solution before.
9. “Do you want to talk about it?” – This question can be dismissive, it implies that the client’s concerns are not important.
10. “Can’t you see that…?” – This question can be dismissive, it implies that the client is not capable of understanding the situation.

AND THEN: "So how does a coach know what question to ask a client?"

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