Communication Skills – Questioning Effectively – Tips of the Week
- Demonstrate genuine interest and concern
- Generate new ideas
- Facilitate learning
- Build commitment to solutions and plans
- Empower
Eight ideas to increase your success in asking questions include:
- Create a culture where questions are welcome. Encourage questions and be open when you respond.
- Follow the KISS rule. Keep your questions short and simple. One question at a time; not more that twelve words long.
- Consider the three “R’s”
- right time
- right manner
- right person
- Always start with an open question to encourage others to share. i.e. “Tell me about…?” or How…? or What…?
- Be prepared to record any important details. A short pencil is better that a long memory.
- Frame questions positively. Instead of asking “What went wrong?” ask “What could be done differently?”88,
- Support by asking, “How can I help? ”Learn by ask, “What would you do?” Empower by asking, “What do you think we should do?” Innovate by asking, “What are our competitors going to do?”
- Listen to the answers provided. If the issue is complicated, demonstrate your understanding by paraphrasing the question before you respond.
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