Powerful Questioning

Think for a moment about the characteristics of humanistic and positive psychology. How might these characteristics inform the practice of coaching? How might they affect the way coaches communicate with clients? How might they influence the questions coaches ask? In this Application Assignment, you will use both the humanistic and positive psychological approaches to coaching to develop powerful questions for a client in a case study. Then you will consider which approach might be more effective.

To prepare for this Assignment:

• Review Chapters 1 and 8 in the course text, Evidence Based Coaching Handbook and the article, “Looking Back to See the Future.” Consider the humanistic and positive psychological approaches to coaching. Also, pay particular attention to how each approach is applied to the coaching process.
• With the characteristics of powerful questions and the types of questions that promote change in mind, consider questions you might ask using the humanistic and positive psychological approaches to coaching.
• Review the case study for Week 6 found below. Develop at least five powerful questions you might ask the individual in the case study using the humanistic as well as the positive psychological approaches to coaching. (Note: Please do not use examples from the readings.)
• Think about which approach (humanistic or positive) is best applied to the client and organization in the case study and why.

Week 6 & Week 8 Case Study: Application of Psychological Approaches

Widgets, Inc., is a U.S. firm that employees 300 people and provides American auto manufacturers with assembled wiring for various electrical components of their automobiles. Widgets, Inc., is located in a small town in Missouri and is the primary employer and community-supporting agency in the town. Widgets, Inc., has experienced tremendous budgetary cutbacks due to the industry’s falling sales. While employees typically have been loyal and motivated, the company had to lay off 25% of its workforce due to funding. This sudden change in employment has impacted the morale and productivity of the remaining employees, along with the community’s economic stability.

Eli is the CEO of the firm and makes most of the decisions regarding change management and employee retention. He recognized the dire situation and addressed these issues with the board. The firm is very employee-driven and aware of the impact of layoffs; therefore the executives in the firm decided to call upon Abby, a well-known leadership coach in the area, for assistance. Abby is an external leadership coach, but has worked with this firm in the past.

Abby will work with Eli to determine how to enhance business, boost employee morale, and increase sales so he is able to rehire employees who were laid off. Eli is very open to working with Abby and is eager to work on new ideas for positive change in this time of crisis. He realizes change is needed, which may require adjustment from all employees, including those who work on the front line as well as top executives. His ideas for positive change will be reviewed by the board before they are implemented. However, Eli typically makes sound decisions and has board support.

The Assignment: (1–2 pages)

• Develop at least five powerful questions you might ask the client in the case study using the humanistic psychological approach to coaching.
• Develop at least five powerful questions you might ask the client in the case study using the positive psychological approach to coaching.
• Explain which approach you might use in this case and why. Be specific.