In this session, we'll focus on two core elements:

1)        Don’t Forget the Power of Questions

Reflective listening is a cornerstone of MI—but sometimes, great open, evocative questions take a back seat. This part of the session will remind you how powerful and transformative they can be, and why you should bring more of them into your practice.

2)        Discover a tool called the Question Tree—a visual way to map potential pathways in a conversation. Use it to plan ahead for impactful sessions or reflect afterwards to deepen your learning. It’s flexible, simple, and something you’ll come back to again and again.

Learning Outcomes

Rediscover the lost art of great question asking

-              What topics to focus on when questioning

-              Choose the right question for the right moment

Create your own Question Tree and use it to plan great interactions with every person

-              Build your personal Question Tree live during the session

-              Learn from yourself and become your own Open Question coach.

What questions will you ask?

How will you ask them?

Why would you want to improve your questioning ability?

Expect more questions like these—just tree-shaped.

I look forward to exploring them with you.

Facilitated by John Whitson-Russell is a Member of MINT and Certified MI Trainer. He lives inGloucestershire,  England and has 1 wife, 2 kids, 4 cats, 8 Christmas Jumpers, 16 houseplants, and 32 pairs of shoes.

John has been coaching since 2005, beginning in Personal Training and Health Coaching, and gradually evolving into Management, Executive, and Retirement & Life Transition Coaching. Motivational Interviewing (MI) remains the foundation of his practice across each of these, it really does work with everything.

He has worked across public, private, and third sector organisations, specialising in behaviour change related to physical and mental health. He also supervises coaches and supports aspiring MI practitioners on their development journey.

John openly shares that reflections were the hardest MI skill for him to master: “They were the hardest things to crack for me.” This empathy for the learning process shapes his relatable, affable, and grounded teaching style.