#123: Why “Just Ask Questions” is Bad Coaching Advice (and What to Do Instead) Artwork

Coaching the Whole Educator

This podcast helps instructional coaches, teacher leaders, and school leaders improve their educators’ effectiveness and resilience, especially the ones who need it most by focusing on the mindsets and motivations that are at the source of unproductive behaviors. Each week, we’ll cover quick tips, strategies and coaching mindsets so that you can be on top of your coaching game.

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Coaching the Whole Educator

#123: Why “Just Ask Questions” is Bad Coaching Advice (and What to Do Instead)

February 09, 2025 • Becca Silver • Season 1 • Episode 123

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Are you ready to lead with real impact? In their new book, "Coaching Education Leaders," Michelle Jarney, Michael Kim, and Nancy Gutierrez get real about their Facilitative Competency-Based Coaching (FCB) approach—a method designed to push school leaders out of their comfort zones and into real transformation. Their message? If coaching isn’t making people uncomfortable, it’s not working.

They break down the power of precision questioning—not just to make people think, but to expose blind spots, shift mindsets, and drive real behavior change. They dig into the Tailor Your Approach chart and Clutterbuck’s Levels of Dialogue, giving coaches a framework to move leaders beyond surface-level conversations and into deep, systemic change.

The Hard Truths:

Coaching isn’t passive. If you’re just listening, you’re not coaching.
Stop coaching for comfort—create inescapable learning moments that force self-insight and behavior shifts.
Coaches must be adaptable. One-size-fits-all coaching doesn’t work.
Questioning is a strategy, not a checklist. Purposeful questions expose hidden barriers and unlock change.
Leaders need to be held accountable. Reflection is great, but action is everything.

[Catalyst Mindsets] Ep. #122: Why Growth Mindset Isn't Enough: The Five Mindsets You Need to Drive Change

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