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- The Parliament Vol. 2, No. 28
The Parliament Vol. 2, No. 28
What If You Had a Magic Wand?
Thomas Greek
August 08, 2025
COACHING PROMPT OF THE WEEK
“What If You Had a Magic Wand?”
The "Magic Wand" question is one of the most classic and powerful tools in the coaching toolkit. It's a hypothetical question designed to bypass a team member’s self-imposed limitations and uncover what they truly desire.
The key is that the "magic wand" makes anything possible. All the usual obstacles—lack of time, money, skill, or other people's approval—are temporarily removed from the equation.
Team members often get stuck because they focus on the obstacles rather than the destination. Their thinking becomes a loop of "I can't do X because of Y." The Magic Wand question is designed to break this pattern.
You might ask this question of a Team Member when they’re feeling stuck, burned out, or uninspired.
Here are some alternatives you can also try:
The Miracle Question: "Suppose that tonight, while you were sleeping, a miracle occurred. When you awake tomorrow morning, what would be things you'd notice that would tell you this miracle has happened and your problem is solved?"
The "No Limits" Question: "If time and money were no object, what would you do?"
The "Fearless" Question: "If you knew you could not fail, what would you attempt?"
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.
Show of hands - how many of you would consider yourselves skeptics? I know I am!
For me, that means I usually don't believe something when I first read or hear it. I like to do my own research and come to my own conclusions, rather than taking someone else's word for it.
But why is it that we don't always follow that same logic for our own thoughts about ourselves?!
We're so quick to believe that we're not experienced enough or don't have a perspective worth sharing. We can be far more critical of ourselves than others ever would be, given the same evidence.
What if, instead of giving in to those inner critics so quickly, we challenged those thoughts when we recognize we're having them?
What if we asked ourselves, "Is it true?" next time we're passing some self-judgment?
Don't believe everything you think! Instead, think like a scientist. Examine the evidence. And think again.
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
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"The purpose of life is a life of purpose" by Robert Byrne
This is a favorite quote of mine, and one I use often in coaching sessions.
Most of us have an inherent desire to find meaning and significance in life. Purpose is not just something to be discovered, but also something to be actively created and lived through intentional choices and actions.
My purpose is to make the world better by building better leaders.
I believe the world would be a better place with leaders who are more empathetic, empowering, and curious, which is why I’m inspired to teach leaders how to be better coaches.
I didn’t stumble into this ‘purpose’ – I actively create it, day-by-day, through the actions and choices I make.
What’s your purpose and what are you doing to help to make it a reality?
Thanks and Be Well!
For a limited time, I’m offering a complimentary lesson -
Check it out below!
