What Would It Take for This to Feel Possible?
Coaching Question of the Week
The Coaching Question
“What would it take for this to feel possible?”
When to Use This Question
When a teacher or leader is feeling overwhelmed by a challenge and shutting down.
When resistance to change is rooted in fear rather than actual barriers.
When a team is struggling to implement a new instructional practice or initiative.
When helping someone move from a fixed mindset to a growth-oriented perspective.
The Problem This Question Aims to Solve
Many educators and leaders face moments where they feel like a challenge is insurmountable. Whether it’s improving student outcomes, managing a difficult class, or taking on a leadership role, the feeling of “this is too much” can lead to avoidance. This question shifts the focus from whether something is possible to how it could become possible, breaking down perceived barriers into manageable steps.
The Research Behind It
Kegan & Lahey’s Immunity to Change (2009) – People often resist change not because they lack the skills but because they have competing, hidden commitments that hold them back. This question helps surface those hidden barriers and makes progress feel achievable.
Cognitive Behavioral Theory – Overwhelming tasks create cognitive distortions, where people assume failure before trying. Reframing the challenge through a solution-focused lens can help reduce this paralysis.
Self-Determination Theory (Deci & Ryan, 1985) – When people feel a sense of control and agency over a challenge, they are more likely to engage. This question gives ownership back to the educator or leader in defining what makes success feel possible.
Example Application in Coaching
Scenario: A principal is struggling to implement PLCs effectively, believing teachers won’t buy in.
Coach’s Response: “What would it take for this to feel possible?”
Principal’s Reflection: “If I knew teachers saw the value in it, I think I’d feel more confident moving forward.”
Next Steps: The coach could then guide the principal in exploring ways to gather teacher input, share quick wins, or find an early adopter to model an effective PLC.
Additional Questions to Deepen the Conversation
“What’s one small step that would make this feel more doable?”
“What assumptions are making this seem impossible?”
“What past successes could you draw from to navigate this?”
Final Reflection for Coaches and Leaders
Coaching is not about convincing someone that something is possible—it’s about helping them discover the conditions that make possibility real. By asking this question, we help educators and leaders move past self-imposed barriers and into meaningful action, fostering a mindset of possibility over limitation.