Dave, an Agile coach, asks the developer a powerful question, then waits in silence. A few short seconds later a product owner interrupts the silence and says, “Give him a clue. What’s the answer?”
The product owner never saw Dave practicing the invisible skill of silence. Silence gives the developer an opportunity to search for the answer. Dave ignores the impatient product owner. The developer answers the question in a way that enlightens his solution to a problem.
Two keys to Agile coaching: Asking powerful questions and listening at a deep level.