Anyone who spends time with children knows they love to ask questions. “Why is there a moon?” “How come ladybugs have spots?” “Can I eat ice cream every night?” Harvard-based child psychologist Paul Harris says a child asks something like 40,000 questions between the ages of two and five. Yikes, that’s a whole lot of questions!
But what kids are doing is what adults need to do too — they’re being curious. Children ask questions because they want to learn about the world. In business, in order to respond to the needs of your clients and colleagues, you need to be curious too. Asking questions is how you gain information and understanding.
But a bad question won’t get you far. Poorly constructed questions are generally confusing. They lead to unproductive communication. As well, confusing or pointless questions reflect poorly on the asker. So, you need to know how to ask good questions. Here are some important principles to keep in mind when asking questions:
1. Clarity
Questions should be easy to understand and use straightforward language. Put yourself in the other person’s shoes — what kind of question is likely to get a response? Your questions need to be relevant to the person.
2. Simplicity
Ask one question at a time. A “double-barrelled” question, where you ask two questions at the same time, likely means only one of them will be answered.
3. Purpose
Think through your questions in advance. You should have a mental road map, knowing where it is you hope your questions will lead.
4. Fearlessness
Don’t be afraid to ask challenging questions. Being direct is better than dancing around a question. Be diplomatic and considerate, but don’t let sensitive subject matter stop you from asking your question.
5. Openness
An open-ended question is the best starting point. In other words, avoid questions that can easily be answered “yes” or “no.” Yes or no answers are conversation stoppers! Part of what makes a good question is that it helps advance the conversation.
6. Specificity
As your conversation proceeds make your questions more specific in order to get more detailed information. Use words like “why” and “how” and “could you describe that” to go more in depth.
Remember, asking good questions means that you and the person you are speaking with will benefit. Sometimes, answering questions helps a person to think more carefully and clarify their own thoughts. Added bonus? Your good questions may lead to solving problems, creating empathy and encouraging a creative working relationship.
Finally, just in case you’re curious, here’s a little “Q&A.”
“What does the moon do?” It controls daily tides, stabilizes our planet’s rotation, and is responsible for Earth’s climate.
“How come ladybugs have spots?” To help them hide from predators.
“Can I eat ice cream every night?” No.
Schedule a 30 minute complimentary phone or video meeting to meet Dr. Sandra Folk. She’ll be happy to talk to you about your business communications challenges.