The Power of Really Good Questions

The Power of Really Good Questions

This morning I listened to a podcast from Increase Your Impact with Justin Sua, and it stuck with me in the best way. Justin said something simple but powerful. He is a sucker for really good questions. That is what he does as a process coach. He asks questions. He loves questions.

That resonated deeply with me because I love questions too.

I love asking questions to Barbi. I love asking questions to Bella Love. I love asking questions to friends, athletes, coaches, and people I care about. Questions are how I learn what is going on inside someone. Not just what they are doing, but what they are carrying.

Justin shared that the people he works with are experts in their domain. Wherever they are, whatever role they are in, they are experts at that level. So the questions he asks are not about giving answers. They are about helping people think differently.

One of his favorite questions stopped me in my tracks.

What is something you used to believe that you no longer believe based on your experience?

That question causes people to pause. It gently pushes against old assumptions. It invites reflection instead of defense. It opens space for growth.

Another question he loves to ask is this.

What are your fears, your worries, your insecurities, and your weaknesses?

Most people are protective. Many are confident, competent, and strong on the outside. This question creates a moment of safety. It allows vulnerability. It invites honesty without judgment.

Another one I loved was this.

What are your private wins?

So many people never talk about these. Leaders, executives, head coaches, parents. Often it is a thankless role. Private wins are the quiet decisions, the unseen conversations, the small moments behind the scenes that build trust and culture. Those wins matter.

Then there was the question that hit even deeper.

What is a hard conversation you need to have but you are avoiding?

That question alone can open an entire doorway. When you ask it and truly listen, you begin to understand what someone is carrying. And when you follow up with curiosity, you help them imagine what that conversation could actually look like.

Justin made one more point that I loved. The magic is not just in the question. The magic is in the follow up.

Listening closely. Clarifying. Asking for examples. Getting specific. Slowing down enough to really understand.

I see this play out when I talk with Bella Love. When I talk with friends. When I coach. When I sit with family. When I ask thoughtful questions and follow up with care, people open up. They explore ideas they have never said out loud before.

That is what generative conversations do. They create growth together.

So I am taking time to ask myself this too.

What are my favorite questions?

And maybe even more importantly.

What questions am I not asking yet?

If you sit with these questions for a while, they just might help you grow alongside someone you love.