The Powerful Question?
Posted on May 25, 2011 by Kelly VanReeth, One of Thousands of Life Coaches on Noomii.
Get more out of your conversations.
How many times have you entered into a conversation only to walk away without resolution or any forward motion on the topic? This happens to all of us. Sometimes we are so consumed to make sure that we are heard we never stop talking. Sometimes we are so busy coming up with the next question; we never heard the answer to the previous one. Sometimes the questions we ask only need a response of a yes or no, so the conversation ends abruptly.
If you want to get to the core of issues and delve deeper into conversations the type of questions you should focus on asking are open ended questions. These questions will require a more elaborate answer than the yes, no or one word answer you are currently receiving.
Instead of asking, “Did you like the movie?” Try something like, “That movie was really funny. You really seemed to enjoy it. What part did you like the best?” This opened the door for more dialog, and you showed interest by building off of your observation.
It takes practice to ask open ended questions. Some of these questions will have powerful results.
Here are a few questions that can support you in future conversations:
- What specific expectations do you have?
- What would it take to make that happen?
- How does or doesn’t that fit into who you really are?
- What are you unwilling to tolerate any longer?
- What really excites you about that?
Key things to remember….
- Be an active and open listener.
- Don’t think ahead to your next question, be in the moment.
- Show interest in the person, the conversation and the experience.
- Don’t shut down the conversation with close ended questions.
Here is wishing you powerful conversations based on the powerful questions you ask.
Visit Kelsa Coaching at www.lifecoachchicago.org
