“One of my overall goals is to provide resources for church members that help them pursue God’s calling,” says Bill, a pastor of a 250-member congregation in London.
 
It’s Bill’s first coaching session, and for the next 30 minutes, you ask Bill questions to provoke him to reflect:

• Who are your church members?
• What is God calling them to?
• How do you see resources helping them?
• What kinds of resources would help them?
• What helps/hinders church members in using resources?

Says Bill, “This has been helpful. Your questions helped me think about the resources I want to provide. Thanks.”
 
You think, “He sounds like he thinks we’re done, and he hasn’t developed his action steps.”
 
Question: What can you ask Bill?
 
Answer: What will you do this week?
 
In other words, get Bill to develop 2 or more SMART action plans he will take to provide resources for church members. To empower Bill to develop SMART action steps, first ask him questions about his options:

• What could you do to provide church members with resources?
• What else could you do?

Then ask Bill questions about SMART action steps he will take this week to provide church members with resources:

• What will you do this week?
• What 2 or more action steps will you take?
• What do you mean by ___?
• How will you know when you’ve achieved this action step?
• How doable is this?
• How will this action step help you achieve your goal?
• By when will you do this?

Empower your client to pursue God’s calling. Today.