ICF competencies get to the core of the coaching magic: what questions and curiosity can do to increase awareness for our clients. What presence is required to meet your client where they are and help them move to a higher level of thinking and effectiveness? This session reviews the knowns ol presence and powerful questions and provides some fresh angles and approaches. *The coaching literature reminds us that questions can be awareness-building when asked with sincere curiosity and when structured for open reflection. The session will cover how this happens neuro-scientifically and illustrate for coaches how to improve their skills in evoking this open reflection. *Presence is the substrate of possibility for the inquiry to be effective and helpful for clients. Reviewing the moment to moment requirements of presence the session will have participants practice, in this virtual setting, getting into deeper presence for access in actual coaching sessions. About John Schuster: John P Schuster teaches leadership coaching at Columbia University and at the Hudson Institute of Coaching. He has an MA in literature and an MA in psychology from Saybrook University’s Jungian studies program. He is the author of five books and a coach and mentor to corporate executives and non-profit leaders. In 2018, John launched a podcast about aging with intention called Stories for the Ages on NPR. He provides support to retiring professionals, new coaches, and takes his guitar to nursing homes to sing and encourage the elders to keep growing psychologically and spiritually.