- The Parliament Newsletter
- Posts
- The Parliament Vol. 2, No. 27
The Parliament Vol. 2, No. 27
What Do People Seek You Out For?
Thomas Greek
August 01, 2025
COACHING PROMPT OF THE WEEK
“What Do People Seek You Out For?”
The question's power lies in its unique angle. It bypasses the team member’s own self-assessment, which can be clouded by self-criticism, modesty, blind spots, or even the dreaded "imposter syndrome". Instead, it forces them to look at themselves through the eyes of others.
Instead of asking "What are you good at?", which can feel boastful or difficult to answer, it asks for observable evidence. This can help validate a strength they intuitively knew they had or even uncover hidden strengths.
This is a terrific question to ask during a developmental discussion with a team member or when providing some career counseling.
A team member might answer with examples of being sought after for skills like problem solving, emotional support, technical know-how, or other sources of knowledge and wisdom. Whatever their answer, get curious and consider asking these follow-up questions:
How does it feel when they do that?
How could you be more intentional about using this ability?
What would it look like to offer that skill more proactively, rather than waiting to be asked?
Remember that coaching isn’t telling!
Coaching is about staying curious and making space for those in our care to become confident authors of their own stories.
The stories we tell ourselves, about ourselves, matter!
And if some of those stories have become unhelpful, or even harmful, using tools like the Narrative Identity Framework can help us examine and reframe our experiences in a more productive way.
You deserve to be the author of your own story, not just a character in it!
How can you reframe some of your inner storytelling to show up as your best self today?
Want to sharpen your coaching skills, join us in the Leaders as Coaches Online program and watch your team – and your leadership – transform. www.ThomasGreekCoaching.com
Want leadership & coaching tips?!
Check out our YouTube channel, and while you’re there, be sure to subscribe!
"To handle yourself, use your head; to handle others, use your heart." — Eleanor Roosevelt
What I love about this quote is the subtle influence of Emotional Intelligence in Roosevelt’s urging. It inspires us to try to understand situations from others' perspectives, to empathize and feel what they might be feeling.
There’s an argument to be made that you can’t effectively lead, persuade, or help someone without first understanding their emotional state and motivations.
People are not logical machines; they are emotional beings.
To motivate, inspire, and build loyalty, a leader must connect with their team on a human level. Using your "heart" means listening, showing respect, and seeking a compassionate resolution rather than simply trying to "win" an argument with logic.
What are some opportunities for you to use the “heart” to engage with others more often?
Thanks and Be Well!
For a limited time, I’m offering a complimentary lesson -
Check it out below!
