Find it out! A Coaching Cards Game

Aims of the tool

- To practice active listening and powerful questioning competences with a coaching approach.
- To integrate a coaching competence and approach in the youth work practice.

Description of the tool

Step 1
- Form groups of 3 persons
- Each group gets picture cards (1 for each pax) and question cards (1 set per group)
- Choose a picture card and think about an issue or concept that it inspires you! Choose something related but not too easy.
- Now write the concept on the post-it card and do not to disclose it (5 min) to the other players. Only the picture card can be shown.
- The aim of the game is to find out the issue and as much information as possible about it by means of a picture card and using effective questioning and active listening.

Step 2
Roles: Interviewee (active player) Interviewer and observer
Assign the roles for the first round and then rotate them so that everyone can take on one of the roles
once.

The game:
The interviewer must find out what the issue or concept is by asking questions with the help of question cards and referring to the picture card.
Example: how is the issue related to the picture on the card?
Which character on the card best describes the issue?
The interviewer cannot ask directly what the issue is.
- Now the player shows the picture card without disclosing the concept he or she has chosen.
-The player cannot tell the issue directly but must help the interviewer to figure out what the issue is.

Question Cards:
- The interviewer must use as many question cards as possible.
- Those cards are your guidelines - you choose the order and when to use them.
- The observer will write down the questions

Time: 5 minutes for each player to play his/her card.

End:
- Once everyone has played the card the team will check on the scoring table how many questions were open, closed, rephrased, clarifying or summarising the issue.

Step 3 - Debriefing in Plenary
Which were the most powerful questions in each case?

A powerful question...
• reflects active listening and an understanding of the client's perspective.
• evokes discovery, insight, commitment or action (e.g., those that challenge the client's assumptions).
• is open-ended creating greater clarity, possibility or new learning.
• moves the client toward what they desire, not questions that ask for the client to justify or look backward.
(ICF - Core competences)