When it comes to coaching, one of the most effective tools in a coach’s arsenal isn’t advice or instruction; it’s powerful, open-ended questions that lead the client toward self-discovery. One of the simplest yet most profound questions a coach can ask is, “What else?” While it may seem like a basic follow-up, this question can unlock hidden desires, untapped insights, and unknown blindspots that can drive real change.
In this article, we’ll dive deep into why the question “What else?” holds so much power and how it can be a transformative tool for coaches and leaders looking to challenge their clients’ blindspots.
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A Real Example of the Power of “What Else?”
Let’s start with a story from my own coaching experience.
A few months ago, I was working with a client who came to me feeling overwhelmed by the competing demands of her work and personal life. She had been working long hours and felt guilty about the time she was sacrificing from her family time. I asked the usual question: “What do you want?”
Without missing a beat, she responded: “I just want more time.” A pretty common answer, right? We’ve all wished for more hours in the day. But something about her tone told me there was more beneath the surface.
Instead of taking her answer at face value, I asked, “What else?”
After a pause, she confessed: “It’s not just about time. I want to feel like I’m in control of my life again. I want to stop feeling guilty for not being present with my family.”
And just like that, we found the real issue. The need for control and the emotional toll of guilt were driving her burnout, not just a shortage of hours in the day.
This story highlights a core truth: the first answer is rarely the complete answer. It’s often a reflex, a quick response designed to move past discomfort. But the second question— “What else?”—is where the deeper insights lie. This powerful question encourages clients to dig beyond their surface-level desires and confront what’s really holding them back.
The Lesson—Why “What Else?” Works
The beauty of “What else?” lies in its simplicity and its ability to bypass the initial, superficial responses that clients often give. Let’s break down why this question is so effective in challenging blindspots.
- It Digs Beyond the Surface
When we ask someone what they want or need, their first response is typically the most obvious one. This is called availability bias, a cognitive bias where people tend to focus on the information that comes most easily to mind. However, the deeper answers—the ones rooted in emotions, unspoken fears, and subconscious desires—are often harder to access.
The question “What else?” forces clients to pause, reflect, and look beyond their initial answer. It’s a gentle nudge to dig deeper into what’s driving their behaviour or emotional state. By asking this question, we create space for them to reflect on aspects of their life that they may not have considered in their initial response.
- It Uncovers Blindspots
Research in neuroscience shows that our brains are wired to avoid discomfort and protect us from unpleasant truths. This is often why we overlook our blindspots—the areas where we lack self-awareness or fail to see how our behaviour is hindering our progress. These blindspots can range from fears we don’t want to confront, to limiting beliefs we’ve internalized over time.
Asking “What else?” is a powerful way to bring these blindspots into the open. It pushes clients to explore thoughts or feelings they may not have acknowledged before. In fact, studies on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) show that questions that encourage self-reflection help individuals gain deeper insights into their emotional states and behaviours, which ultimately leads to more effective behaviour change.
- It Encourages Emotional Honesty
Clients often give the “right” answer, the one that they think will make them seem reasonable or rational. But emotions are a crucial part of decision-making, and they often play a bigger role in shaping our desires than we realize. By asking “What else?”, coaches can help clients move past the logical answer and tap into the emotional truths that underlie their situation. This encourages vulnerability and honesty, which are critical for real transformation.
Actionable Advice—How to Use “What Else?” Effectively
If you’re a coach, leader, or even a friend looking to help someone gain more clarity, here’s how you can use “What else?” effectively in your conversations:
- Use it After Major Questions
After asking any significant question like “What do you want?” or “What’s holding you back?”, don’t just stop at the first answer. Follow it up with “What else?”. This will invite the client to go beyond their immediate thoughts and explore other possible insights. Keep asking until the client has nothing more to add; that’s when you know you’ve exhausted the topic and reached a deeper level of understanding. - Allow for Silence
When you ask “What else?”, don’t rush to fill the silence. Give your client time to think. The magic of this question often happens in those moments of quiet reflection. Clients may need time to process their thoughts before they can uncover deeper layers of understanding. - Ask with Genuine Curiosity
The tone in which you ask matters. You’re not interrogating your client; you’re encouraging exploration. Ask “What else?” with an open, curious tone. This will make your client feel safe and supported, allowing them to be more vulnerable in their responses. - Know When to Stop
While “What else?” is powerful, it’s also important to know when to stop asking. Use your intuition to gauge when your client has reached a point of clarity. Too many repetitions can lead to frustration or confusion. Typically, two or three rounds of this question are enough to get to the heart of the matter.
The Role of the Coach or Leader
As a coach or leader, your role isn’t to provide answers but to guide your clients toward their own. By using “What else?”, you help them become more self-aware, challenge their limiting beliefs, and confront their blindspots. It’s not about pushing them too hard, but about creating a space where they feel comfortable exploring the depths of their thoughts and emotions.
In many ways, “What else?” is a question that invites clients to become their own problem-solvers. It empowers them to take ownership of their growth and self-discovery. By challenging them to reflect deeper, you’re helping them build the muscle of introspection, which will serve them long after your coaching sessions have ended.
Research Supporting Self-Reflection and Questioning
There’s substantial research supporting the effectiveness of reflective questioning in coaching and therapy. One study published in the Journal of Applied Behavioural Science highlighted that reflective inquiry—asking clients to think deeply about their thoughts and emotions—can significantly improve self-awareness and decision-making.
Another research study from the Harvard Business Review found that coaching conversations that focus on reflective questioning, such as “What else?”, can lead to greater creativity and problem-solving in clients. When clients are asked to think beyond their immediate responses, they’re more likely to come up with innovative solutions and achieve sustainable behaviour change.
The Power of What Else
In the world of coaching, leadership, and personal development, the question “What else?” is deceptively simple but profoundly powerful. It encourages deeper self-reflection, uncovers blindspots, and helps clients move past their initial answers to uncover what truly matters.
Whether you’re a coach, a leader, or someone helping a friend, don’t settle for the first answer. Push for deeper insights by asking “What else?”. The next time you’re in a conversation, try it and see where it takes you. You might be surprised at the profound clarity and breakthroughs that follow.
Sources:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Insights: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5797481/
- Reflective Inquiry in Coaching: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0021886317753048
- Harvard Business Review – Creativity and Coaching: https://hbr.org/2018/07/the-coaching-habit
