Asking the right relevant, questions can often help people choose to discover so much about themselves and lead to amazing changes in their lives

Questions that Limit(closed questions)

Closed questions limit creativity. When we ask a question that includes an answer, the listener must respond to that answer, often with a “yes” or “no.” This type of question doesn’t cause a lot of reflection because the options for response are extremely limited in other words a closed question.

One reason we ask limiting questions is because we are stuck in our own perspective. We have ideas and when we form questions, those questions come out with our answers embedded in them.

Questions that Generate Possibilities(Open ended questions)

Ask questions that promote creativity and generate possibilities by asking more broadly about the topic. Begin your questions with the words: What, How, or Who.
These questions have unlimited possible answers. The listener is not merely saying “yes” or “no” to your idea. Questions with these words tend to produce more reflection and fuller answers . Most important, they stimulate the creativity and generate possibilities for the listener.

There is risk in doing this. The response to an open ended question can go in many different directions. Asking open ended questions require a coach to give up control of the response. But creativity and new possibilities only emerge when we move beyond what we know and think has to be and explore what could be.