Dare To Ask!

Powerful questions can teach a client to ask for what they want. Knowing what to ask can move a person from a place of being “stuck” to one of freedom in moving forward.

Joan left a very good International job in Central America to follow her heart in a relationship that ended shortly after she returned to the United States . When I met her, she was confused, angry and frustrated about choices that had left her bankrupt. Together we spent the next 18 months trying to recover what she had given up: a secure job in a field that she was passionate about and her self esteem.

We started working on her strengths and strategies to land another international position. Interviewing, reworking her resume, and basic communication skills were all part of our coaching relationship. And supporting her in learning how to ask powerful questions as part of the interviewing process was the key that opened a door for her.

We role–played, practiced asking and answering questions and how to take these new found skills to her interviews. After two disappointments, jobs she was sure she could land, we went back to the drawing board and focused on her core strengths. Joan had to rebuild her confidence. Thus, we tried a new strategy. Joan started designing the questions she wanted to have answered as part of her interviewing process, taking charge of what she wanted in the process.

The third time was a charm. Recently, she was flown to Washington DC, interviewed and landed a very good position in East Africa. Not only was her confidence restored, Joan now has a job that fulfills her vision and her purpose. We both learned that you just have to ask!

Linda Lea Ph.D, CPCC
lindalea@vom.com