Start with a question

Coaching is mostly that: asking the right question at the right time

Australia won the first ODI in Zimbabwe last night by 59 runs—a decent start from both sides of the ball.

Ollie Peake—we’ve talked about him here—made 30 from 40: a four, a six, a strike rate of 75.00 (-23.00 to the team SR). Batting at seven isn’t easy. You’re one wicket away from batting with the back four. It’s the role they have for him—he’s just turned 20; I agree with how they’ve placed him. But just one but; I’ve watched him plenty; I know his tendencies; it surfaced mid-innings again. Tendencies do; they’re annoying little critters!

Here’s not to tell, but the question is: to message or not? And then, which question to ask. I think I know, but I’m not sure whether I will. But I will share this—Seth Godin summarised John Sawatsky’s rules for asking better questions close to 20 years ago, and it still holds:

1. Don’t ask double-barrelled questions. Just one at a time, and if you can keep it to one, all the better.

2. Don’t add your own remarks. It’s not about you.

3. Don’t ask closed questions. If it starts with a verb, you’ll get one word back.

And the coaching dilemma: to intervene or not—which question do you start with—and don’t assume all coaches see what you see.

I messaged him. One question. Open-ended. No remarks.

Coaching is mostly that—asking the right question at the right time. Now, we wait and see.

Nick

Photo by Buddha Elemental 3D on Unsplash