Learning Corner: Ask Before You Advise

Estimated Time to Complete: 15 minutes, then practice all week

Objective:
To strengthen your coaching habit by holding back advice long enough for others to think for themselves.

Materials Needed:

• A sticky note

• Your one-on-ones this week

Activity Steps:

1. Pick your question (3 minutes)
Choose one question to use all week. A strong one comes from Michael Bungay Stanier's coaching work: "And what else?"

2. Notice the urge (4 minutes)
Think about where you jump to advice most often. In one-on-ones? In team meetings? When someone looks stuck?

3. Practice (All week)
When you feel the urge to advise, ask your question first. Then ask it once more.

4. Reflect (8 minutes)
At the end of the week, write down what you noticed. Did people come up with ideas you wouldn't have? Did conversations take longer or shorter?

Key Takeaways:

• The first answer someone gives is rarely the only one.

• Asking first builds other people's thinking.

• Your advice lands better after people have explored their own ideas.

Reflection Prompt:

When was the last time you gave advice that someone didn't take? What might a question have done instead?

Want help bringing this to your team? Book a free 30-minute conversation with Tony.