Which of the following is NOT one of the core coaching skills?

The answer highlights that close-ended questioning is not considered one of the core coaching skills. In coaching, the focus is primarily on facilitating deeper engagement and encouraging exploration of thoughts and feelings. Active listening, reflections, and open-ended questions are all techniques that foster understanding, introspection, and conversation fluidity.

Active listening involves fully concentrating on what the client is saying, which builds trust and ensures that clients feel heard and understood. Reflections enable the coach to mirror back what the client has expressed, allowing for deeper understanding and insight. Open-ended questions encourage clients to elaborate, explore their feelings, and consider new perspectives, which is vital in a coaching context.

On the other hand, close-ended questioning typically leads to shorter, more definitive responses that can inhibit dialogue and exploration. These questions often result in 'yes' or 'no' answers and do not promote the type of expansive discussion that is valued in coaching. Thus, recognizing close-ended questioning as outside the realm of core coaching skills helps emphasize the importance of fostering an open, reflective, and client-centered conversation.