- The Parliament Newsletter
- Posts
- The Parliament Vol. 2, No. 29
The Parliament Vol. 2, No. 29
What Roadblocks Do You Foresee?
Thomas Greek
August 15, 2025
COACHING PROMPT OF THE WEEK
“What Roadblocks Do You Foresee?”
This question is designed to make your team member stop and think critically about the path ahead, rather than just focusing on what’s in front of them.
By helping your team member anticipate potential obstacles, you can prepare for them, reducing the likelihood of being derailed when obstacles inevitably appear.
This is a great question to ask when a team member is just beginning a new project or initiative, setting out to develop a new skill, or when pursuing a career goal.
Answers to this question might include extrinsic obstacles, like time or money, but also likely include internal blockers such as limiting beliefs about themselves, fear of failure, or the likelihood of procrastination.
You might also consider these follow-up questions:
What is one thing you could do to reduce the chances of that happening?
What skills or knowledge might you need to overcome this?
What support do you need from me to move forward?
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.
How are those New Year’s Resolutions coming along?
How is it that personal life goals can feel much more meaningful than professional goals, but can somehow also seem much harder to achieve - even out of reach?!
There's a better way to tackle our personal aspirations that involves learning from how we manage our professional selves.
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!
“Do not pray for an easy life, pray for the strength to endure a difficult one”
― Bruce Lee
I had a chance to visit the gravesite of Bruce Lee, who’s been a inspiration to me throughout my life.
This quote is a powerful statement about resilience, personal growth, and the nature of hardship. It advises against wishing for the absence of challenges and instead encourages developing the inner fortitude to overcome them.
It’s a reminder that we can become people who handle hard things better.
What can you do to become more resilient?
Thanks and Be Well!
The Transformative Shift: From Fixing to Empowering
Think about a typical interaction at home. A child is upset about school, a partner is stressed about finances, or a friend is facing a difficult decision. What is our first instinct?
To fix it.
We jump in with solutions, advice, and our own opinions.
"Don't worry about that test; you'll be fine."
"We just need to cut our spending here and here."
"If I were you, I would break up with them."
While well-intentioned, this "fixer" mindset often disempowers the other person and can create subtle friction. It implies that we know better and that they aren't capable of solving their own problems.
A Coach Approach fundamentally changes this dynamic. By listening and asking questions, you shift from being the director to being a thought partner.
Imagine the difference:
Instead of: "You just need to study harder."
Try: "I can see you're frustrated with this subject. What part feels the most challenging?"
Instead of: "Here's what we need to do about our budget."
Try: "I've been thinking about our financial goals. What's most important to you when it comes to our money?"
This shift doesn’t just lead to better solutions; it builds trust, respect, and confidence in your loved ones. You're not just solving a problem; you're helping them develop their own problem-solving muscles.
For a limited time, I’m offering a complimentary lesson -
Check it out below!
