How to ask great questions
Asking questions has many purposes, some of which are to build rapport, obtain information, control a conversation, influence others, and check for understanding, all of which demonstrate effective questioning.
How well do you ask questions? Most managers do not think about this skill very often. The ability to ask questions does not show up on any list of managerial skills or requirements but asking questions effectively is a major component of any manager’s job. Asking good questions often distinguishes outstanding managers from average ones.
Tips for asking good questions:
Be curious: Managers who do all the talking are tone deaf to the needs of others. Being curious is essential to asking good questions.
Be open ended: Managers should ask questions that get people to describe not simply what happened, but also what they were thinking. Open-ended questions prevent you from making judgments based on assumptions and can elicit some unexpected answers that can lead to better results.
Be engaged: When you ask questions, show that you care. People will open up if you actively show interest and listen attentively.
Dig deeper: Managers make the mistake of assuming that everything is going okay if they are not hearing bad news. Focusing on learning rather than judging when asking questions.
To quote Walt Whitman and Ted Lasso: "Be curious, not judgmental."