Coaching Questions — Vocabulary and Language for Scrum Masters
Learn powerful coaching question vocabulary for Scrum Masters: open, curious, and non-advisory.
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What makes a question a 'powerful coaching question'?
Powerful coaching questions are open (not yes/no), curious (not leading), and forward-looking — e.g., 'What would it look like if this worked perfectly?' They help the coachee generate their own solutions.
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What is the difference between 'advising' and 'coaching' in facilitation vocabulary?
Advising: 'You should implement daily standups.' Coaching: 'What would help your team stay aligned? What have you tried? What else is possible?' Coaching builds capability and ownership; advising creates dependency.
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Which is an example of a powerful coaching question?
'What is the most important thing you could do right now to move this forward?' is forward-looking, action-focused, and doesn't assume or judge. It helps the person identify their own next step.
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What does 'holding space' mean in coaching and facilitation vocabulary?
Holding space means being fully present, listening without judgment, and resisting the urge to fix or advise — creating psychological safety for the coachee to explore difficult topics honestly.
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What is 'the GROW model' in coaching vocabulary?
GROW (Goal, Reality, Options, Will) structures coaching: What is the goal? What is the current reality? What options exist? What will the coachee commit to doing? Widely used by Scrum Masters and coaches.