Tone of voice can give us clues about which questions to ask. A monotone voice tells us something very different than an animated one.
Be aware of your own tone. If an employee is using a disinterested tone, try speaking with a bit more enthusiasm yourself and see if it helps. If not, you can use it as a questioning opportunity to explore—using open questions—their state of mind ( e.g., bored, tired or anxious).
A person’s choice of words can also be helpful in coaching. If your employee is using lots of negative words or is maintaining very formal language, you may need to work harder to build their trust.