A way to be coach-like when you’re short on time
Many managers want to coach their teams, but between client work, deadlines, and meetings, it feels impossible to find the time.
But what if coaching didn’t have to take extra time?
What if it could fit into your existing conversations?
That’s what J, a manager I worked with, realised when he had this dilemma:
“I want to coach my team, but most of the time, we’re in a time crunch, and there just isn’t time. What can I do?”
How to coach in 60 seconds (without extra meetings)
As J talked it through, he had an insight—maybe he had more time than he thought. The real issue wasn’t time. It was how his brain worked in the moment.
He wanted to ask questions, but his brain was already jumping ahead to answers. Sound familiar?
So, as a group, we helped J come up with some prepared coaching questions he could use on the spot:
“Tell me what you’re thinking already so I’m not telling you what you already know”.
“I’m going to tell you what I think, but first, I’m interested in hearing your ideas”.
“What would you do if you were me?”
These types of questions do three powerful things:
1️⃣ Minimise the power imbalance – You invite your team member to speak first, rather than leading with your own opinion.
2️⃣ Build psychological safety – You show you don’t have all the answers, making it safer for your team to contribute.
3️⃣ Encourage independent thinking – Your team starts solving problems on their own instead of always relying on you.
Quick coaching techniques that work in fast-paced environments
You don’t know how long it will take for your team member to come up with an answer—unless you give them the chance.
You might be surprised.
Even trainee surgeons—who are arguably in life-or-death situations—are quizzed on procedures and decision-making during surgery. If they can be given space to think, so can your team.
Try it and let me know
Which question will you try first? Hit reply and let me know! I’d love to hear how it goes.
