What is the real challenge here for you?

When someone feels overwhelmed by conflicting tasks, priorities, and stressors, name me a better coaching question than:

‘What is the real challenge here for YOU?’

This question does more than seek clarity. It helps the person pause, reflect, and identify the core issue beneath the noise. Often, what we assume is the issue isn’t the real issue at all; there’s something deeper driving the stress.

It’s not just for the workplace. Try it with colleagues, friends, or even partners. You’ll be surprised how it shifts the conversation from surface-level symptoms to meaningful insight.