The next level is hiding in the question you’re avoiding
23 May 2025
Most growth will not be blocked by a lack of answers, it’s very likely blocked by the questions we don’t want to ask.
In my own coaching experience, I’ve found that the most powerful breakthroughs come when someone finally turns toward the hard question they’ve been skirting around for weeks.
Not the convenient one.
Not the clever one.
The uncomfortable one.
Here’s one that usually cracks things open:
“What are you pretending that you don’t already know?”
It’s a simple one-liner. But it hits deep. Real deep.
It’s a question you can ask of others, or yourself. Both equally as powerful.
They/you might be pretending not to know that someone in the team has outgrown their role.
That their/your calendar reflects other people’s priorities, not your own.
That the story that’s being told about being “too busy” is really about fear of moving forward (growth).
Avoided questions often point to avoided decisions.
And that’s where the next level lives.
Hidden … behind the question that’s uncomfortable to ask.
Remember, the path to extraordinary is walked with a thousand small steps, you’re doing great!
Barry Marshall-Graham
Executive coach and leadership advisor
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