The Checkmate Myth: What Makes a Coaching Question Powerful

A coaching question isn’t checkmate—it’s an opening move that reveals more of the board.

Most people hear the phrase powerful question and imagine it’s like a chess master’s move: clever, surprising, leaving the other person stunned into silence.

But in coaching, that’s the wrong game.

A powerful question is not about checkmating the client. It’s about opening the board—so the client can see more moves than they realized were possible.

Why “Powerful” Can Be Misleading

If we’re honest, the word powerful carries baggage. It can imply force, brilliance, or manipulation. Coaches sometimes think they need to conjure a dazzling question that stumps the client. But that’s not coaching—that’s showmanship.

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