A closed question is a question that can be answered with a Yes/No answer. They are used primarily to clarify facts and opinions.
Open questions, on the other hand, use the 5W1H (When – いつ, Where – どこで, Who – だれが, What – なにを, Why – なぜ, and How – どのように). They can elicit expansive answers.
Example of a closed question
Did you understand the essence of coaching?
Have you learned to use your coaching questioning skills?
Do you like your job?
Have you set any goals for the year?
Do you like to travel?
Examples of open questions
How do you understand the nature of coaching?
What are some of the challenges you’ve had in understanding the skill of asking questions?
What do you like about your current job?
What are your goals for this year?
You mentioned that“ you love to travel“, what is it about travel that attracts you to it?
Using too many closed questions can limit the range of answers, preventing the client from fully expressing what he or she wants to say, and thus undermine the effectiveness of the coaching session. They tend to become “leading questions.
Coaching questions are meant to “bring to the surface something in the other person,” and guiding questions should be avoided as a general rule. Caution is needed.
In coaching, it is necessary to be able to use open questions freely. To use open questions, it is important to believe that the client has the answers. This is why we accept whatever answers we receive from the client.
Sometimes the client may give the coach harsh feedback. In coaching, the client is free and there are no restrictions on what he or she is not allowed to say. The coach needs to be aware of this and be prepared for it at the same time.
コーチング情報局を運営する株式会社コーチビジネス研究所では、企業を対象としたコーチング研修、ビジネスパーソンを対象としたビジネスコーチング、個人の方を対象としたライフコーチングを提供しております。その他、コーチングを学びたい方のためのコーチングスクールの運営、経営者やビジネスリーダー向けにセミナーを開催しています。興味や関心がございましたら、お気軽にご相談・お問い合わせください。
This article was written in Japanese and converted into English using a translation tool. We hope you will forgive us for any inadequacies.
Coach Business Laboratory, Inc., which operates the Coaching Information Bureau, provides coaching training for companies, business coaching for business people, and life coaching for individuals. In addition, we operate a coaching school for those who want to learn coaching and hold seminars for executives and business leaders. If you are interested or have any questions, please feel free to contact us for further information and consultation.
