My 20 Favorite Questions to Ask Clients

You build trust and and gain understanding through asking great questions. Asking the right questions greatly influences the success of a conversation. Here are 5 things I keep in mind when preparing great questions to ask.

1. Great questions often start with a “what” or a “how” “can you give me an example”, or some form of “tell me more”.
2. Having 2 or 3 powerful questions prepared in advance eases my anxiety.
3. Powerful questions are positive, clear, fun to ask, and future-oriented.
4. If I’m not genuinely curious about the answer, I shouldn’t ask the question.
5. Great questions are open-ended. They don’t lead to a “yes” or “no” answer and require the other person to think

“To ask the right question is already half the solution to a problem.” – Carl Jung

When I was going through the life coach certification process, I was encouraged to keep a list handy of my favorite questions. Although this list has been refined, for over fifteen years now, I’ve kept my list on hand.

My 20 Favorite Questions

Questions 1 – 10

1. What’s an issue you’re facing, that if you figured it out, would make a huge difference?
2. What opportunities do you have right now?
3. How would you act if you were 10 times bolder?
4. Describe, in detail, your ideal llife in 1, 3, 5 or 10 years?
5. How do you want to be remembered, by those you love, when you’re gone?
6. What changes do you need to make to have the life you want?
7. What does “success” in this area look like?
8. What’s important to you about accomplishing this?
9. What do you want?
10. What do you like about yourself (interests, life experiences, personality traits, etc.)?

If you’ve found these questions helpful so far, you’ll love my 50 Excellent & Fun Relationship-Building Questions.

If you found this information helpful, SUBSCRIBE TODAY to access my Free video & worksheet, Shatterproof Yourself: 7 Small Steps to a Giant Leap in Your Mental Health.

Questions 11 – 20

11. What energizes you? (i.e., after you engage this activity, you’re encouraged)
12. If you had success in this area in 90 days, what changes would have made?
13. If you were more confident, how would people know?
14. How can you view that differently? What’s another perspective? 
15. What has worked in the past here?
16. What else? Please tell me more about that.
17. What support do you need? How can you get that support?
18. What would your ideal daily schedule look like?
19. If you are saying “yes” to that, what are you saying “no” to?
20. What would you do here if success was guaranteed?

Download a PDF of these 20 favorite questions plus 25 more of my favorite open-ended coaching questions below.

How To Use These Questions

Take the time to ask yourself each of these and write out your answers. Be honest with yourself. Self-honesty is one of the most challenging, revealing, and rewarding personal growth activities.

Powerful questions help you identify real issues you might be avoiding, and recognize solutions you might be ignoring. My hope is these questions transform your life, the lives of your clients, and the lives of those you love.

If you found this information helpful, SUBSCRIBE TODAY to access my Free video & worksheet, Shatterproof Yourself: 7 Small Steps to a Giant Leap in Your Mental Health.

Related Resources

My 20 Favorite Questions to Ask Clients (post) by Adam Gragg
20 Questions to Ignite Meaningful Conversations (post) by Adam Gragg
7 Questions That Can Positively Transform Your Relationship (post) by Adam Gragg
50 Excellent & Fun Relationship-Building Questions (post) by Adam Gragg