How to use Questions Effectively

Questions to Consider in Conversations

Questions are a great way to start and maintain successful communication.  Here are some suggestions of questions to consider in conversations.

But, the questions have to be honest and you really need to want to hear the answer.

10 questions to kickstart powerful conversations:

1. What would make this conversation a success for you today?
2. What’s giving you the most energy these days? What does that say about you?
3. What’s on your mind?
4. What are you learning?
5. What crossroads are you at today?
6. What would you like to get out of this conversation?
7. How would you like to move the ball forward today?
8. Would you like me to listen, coach, or advise you today?
9. Where do you feel you are wasting energy?
10. How have you succeeded since our last conversation?

My two favorites are: What’s on your mind? What would you like to get out of this conversation?

10 questions to continue powerful conversations:

1. If I saw you moving forward as a result of our conversation, what would I see you doing differently? (If you want different results, you must choose different behaviors.)
2. What’s shifting in your thinking? Follow this with, what’s important to you about that?
3. Who might join you as you move forward? Encourage people to share their goals with others.
4. What would you like me to ask you next time? (Personal favorite.)
5. What was useful today?
6. What seems clearer for you today?
7. What do you plan to do between now and our next conversation? When? How?
8. What does success look like as you move forward?
9. What worked best for you during our conversation?
10. What do you need to stop doing?

5 results of powerful conversations:

1. Connection.
2. Self-discovery.
3. Clarity.
4. Forward movement.
5. Accountability.

What if the power of transformation is ignited in questions, not statements?

Which questions for kickstarting and landing powerful conversations do you like best? Why?

I really believe that what begins well ends well. It is important to begin a conversation in such a way that allows the other person to hear and think about your message. Recently, I sat and observed a senior leader begin his conversation with two directors by stating, “As you are probably already thinking….” One director looked at the other and then at their leader and said courageously, “You know when you say that it scares me to death?” The other director chimed in by saying, “Yes, it just makes me hope that I am thinking the same as you, and if I’m not, I really wouldn’t be inclined to tell you.” Their candid feedback really helped this leader recognize how important it is to begin a conversation in a way that doesn’t make it difficult for the person to respond, disagree, or add their perspective

As a leader, it is important to think about what kind of information you want to give or receive from your listener. The way you begin a conversation, particularly a potentially difficult conversation, will have everything to do with how the other person responds. In an attempt to be a more collaborative leader, some will employ what they think is a softer approach which can end up feeling somewhat manipulative.

Here are a number of phrases or words that any leader would do best not to employ in beginning a conversation.

“I’m sure you’re already thinking about this.”

If someone hasn’t thought about this, do you really think they would candidly say, “Well actually, I haven’t thought about this?” If they did admit they haven’t thought about the topic, they might violate the expectations of the leader and make him or her question the intellectual capacity of their listener. No one will run that risk. They would probably choose to say nothing or just go along. Instead, if you really want to know what someone is thinking, all you need to do is ask them. If they feel safe, then they will give a candid response, allowing you to gain their perspective without tainting their response.

“Tell me if I am wrong…”

This statement creates the presumption that the leader is right and creates a difficult hurdle for the other person to overcome. Not many would dare to say, “Yes, I have to tell you that you are wrong.” That is not going to happen. When a leader begins this way, it is like saying, “I just want you to do this.” If you want to know what the other person thinks, make a statement of what you think and then ask them what they think. For example: “I think we need to spend more time addressing our clients’ needs. What do you think?” You could then follow up with the question, “How do you think we might best do that?”  Asking such questions allows the person to think and respond and provides you with insight into how they are thinking.

“I don’t mean to offend you…”

This is what people usually say before they offend someone. So this phrase is really a setup to offend the person. It is like you are giving yourself permission to be disrespectful. If you think that a person might be offended by something that you have to tell them, then you should really think about how you might deliver your message in a way that is respectful. If you are giving feedback, it is important that the person understands the information in order to make the appropriate changes in their behavior. Beginning a conversation in this manner offends them before you have even delivered the message.

“My understanding is…

This statement has the effect of saying, “Whatever your understanding is, you’re not understanding or I wouldn’t have to tell you what you should understand.” Ask the person what their understanding is first. Once you know what they understand and what they don’t, then you can offer them some additional data that you would like them to know and apply. You could use this statement once you have asked them questions and you want to clarify. However, I wouldn’t begin the conversation this way. Ask before tell.

“That is a creative idea, but…”

Anytime you use the word “but” in a sentence, it negates everything that went before it. If you heard the above statement, you would almost expect to hear something like, “That was a creative idea, but it’s the stupidest thing I have ever heard.” When people hear “but” they know that everything that follows is going to be a negative response. Rather than use “but”, you would be better off to use “and”, “and yet”, or “to build on that.” These phrases allow a person’s idea to stand and allows you to add another bit of data that needs to be considered.

“I need you to…” or “You need to…”

This comes across as a command or a demand which can be very demeaning. We don’t command people; we work with them. Rather than make such a statement, you would be better off to ask for their assistance, such as, “Would you have some time to help me right now?”  or “Could you help me with…?” Asking questions as a means of making a request is much more respectful to a person and communicates value for their contribution. Also, don’t be afraid to use the words “please” and “thank you.”

“I’m not the one that thinks this, but…”

If you are not the one that thinks something, then is it really your place to say it? This statement almost feels like the introduction of some sort of gossip or hearsay that could be questionable. Or it could be interpreted as coming from someone else that may be questionable. If you take such a tack, you really open the door for the person to discount what you have to say. If you have feedback to give, provide it and hold the conversation about what needs to change, don’t attempt you soften a message that you need to deliver in this way.

“Of course, as you know…”

This statement is a corollary to the first phrase above. If you are telling them something that they don’t know, they will not admit it. Then they will not ask you questions about what you are saying because they won’t want to admit what they don’t know. If that is the case, then you stymie their ability to make sure that they have clearly understood. Again, it would be better to ask them questions than to assume they know and then tell them what they don’t know.

“Are you open to some feedback?”

I remember when one of my first managers would say this. In my mind, I would say to myself, “No I am not open to your feedback!” When you begin with this question, the person hearing it would naturally assume the worst and then resist the message that you would like to give.

There is a much easier way to begin a conversation. I would suggest that you use an Attention Check to gain the attention of your listener. It might sound something like this, “I would like to talk about how we could do some fabulous work together. Can we talk for a minute?” An Attention Check is nothing more than making a statement of intention followed by asking for their permission to hold the conversation.Beginning a conversation by engaging your listener is a great way to initiate any conversation.

By avoiding the phrases discussed above, you can hold more effective conversations and ensure that your listener will be more engaged and open about the information that you seek.