19 - Prof Eva-Maria Graf

Transformational Thinking For Health Leaders - from Fiona Day Consulting

Today, I talk with Associate Professor Eva-Maria Graf, a leading expert in coaching linguistics and founder of the international QUESCO research project on questioning practices in coaching.

We explore what really happens in coaching conversations, how questions shape insight and change, and what makes coaching distinct from therapy or friendly support. Eva shares the story behind QUESCO, a three-country research project that revealed how 83% of a coaching conversation is made up of questioning sequences, and we discuss what this means for coaches, supervisors, and educators.

We also talk about the new 5P Model, which helps practitioners understand and refine the micro-skills behind powerful coaching dialogue. Eva reflects on the challenges and rewards of leading a large interdisciplinary project and what she has learned about herself as a leader along the way.

This is a fascinating and practical conversation for anyone interested in how language, coaching, and evidence come together to support transformational change.

Reflective Practice Questions

1. How consciously do you use questioning techniques in your coaching or leadership conversations?

2. What patterns do you notice in how you respond after someone answers your question — do you probe, affirm, or move on too quickly?

3. In what ways could greater linguistic awareness improve the quality of dialogue in your team or organisation?

4. How might you use evidence-based research, like the QUESCO findings, to strengthen your own coaching or leadership practice?

5. When you reflect on a recent conversation that felt transformative, what was it about the sequence of questions that made the difference?

More information/ contact

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Eva-Maria Graf [email protected]

https://questions-in-coaching.aau.at/en/

https://fionadayconsulting.co.uk/quesco-project/

If you’re interested in exploring coaching or learning more about leadership in healthcare, visit my website, where you’ll find a wealth of resources tailored to medical and public health professionals. Sign up for my newsletter to receive 3 hours of free CPD through the Health Career Success Programme and access a range of articles, tools, and guides to support your career journey.
Dr Fiona Day is able to help you thrive like no one else. She is the only Coaching Psychologist in the world with a background in medicine and public health. Her coaching practice is grounded in evidence. Over ten systematic reviews demonstrate the benefits of workplace coaching. Coaching psychology, the science of potential, performance, and wellbeing, has an even greater impact. Book a free confidential 30 minute Consultation with Fiona here.