If your answer is ‘yes’, today’s tip will help you feel confident in those situations.
Madeleine Morgan of Growu writes:
As a coach, I get asked questions I can’t answer all the time, such as:
- ‘Should I feel guilty about leaving my partner?’
- ‘What should I do about my job?’
- ‘Should I get a website?’
- ‘Am I making a fuss about nothing?’
- ‘How can I build my confidence, self-assurance and self-esteem?’
- ‘Was my presentation any good?’
- ‘What should I do about…?’
- ‘Am I doing the right thing?’
- ‘What can I say when my employees are being difficult?’
- ‘How can I get more clients?’
- ‘How much does your coaching cost?’
To all of those questions, I have to answer, ‘It depends.’
‘But surely it’s your job to have answers!’ I hear you cry.
‘What! You don’t know your own prices?’ I hear you exclaim.
Why can’t I answer those questions straight away?
Because I don’t have enough information.
And…often the reason why you don’t know the answer to a question, or your advice backfires, is not because you are stupid but because you don’t have enough information either.
When you use the words, ‘It depends’ it gives you the chance to ask more questions first – ones that will give you the information you need to give quality answers to their questions.
For instance:
To answer the question, ‘How much do your services cost?’ I’d have to say, ‘It depends. Let me ask you some questions. Then I’ll be able to answer. What do you want to achieve? Where are you starting from?’ …etc.
That will only get us to a price. My services may cost you next to nothing compared to the value you get ….if you earn lots more money or gain a better quality of life because of them. I need to ask you other questions to help us establish that.
If you answer a question before you have enough information, you run the riskof being wrong, superficial or giving irrelevant advice.
Asking questions first helps you give better quality answers. They allow you to ‘diagnose’ the situation before you write your ‘prescription’. Asking great quality questions allows you to be confident, resourceful and wise in any situation.
Another for instance:
What’s the best thing to do about your career, business and relationships? It depends. Let me ask you some quality questions and I’ll tell you exactly what you want to know. (Image removed)
Try this…1-2-1 Complimentary Coaching Discovery Session
If you could change one thing in your personal, career or business life, what would it be? I have four complimentary spaces for 1-2-1 Discovery Sessions in April.
During that session, I’ll ask you some great questions. We’ll discuss where you are in your business, career or personal life. We’ll uncover hidden barriers to your success. We’ll get clear on how you’d like your life to be.
Then I’ll show you how you can bridge that gap. You’ll go away feeling positive, excited and certain about your next steps.
If you would like to apply for a session, just email me: madeleine@growu.co.uk
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