10 Ways to Ask Great Questions

10 Ways to Ask Great Questions

Before launching the fact-finding session, determine the essential details you seek, and build each one into the ensuing discussion.

Remember: The more you think you know, the less you’ll find out.

Open-ended questions which begin with words like “what,” “how” and “why” will help eliminate dead-end “yes” or “no” responses and other unhelpful one-word replies.

That’s when you physically engage the other person with eye contact, posture and comforting gestures to make them know that their input is important.

Each question should address a singular line of inquiry, not three, four, etc.

If you have suspicions about an earlier answer, repeat the same question with altered wording later in the conversation to see if the response remains consistent.

That’s when you supply an answer that you think you’re looking for. But you may prevent a more truthful and valuable narrative disclosure this way.

Not saying anything in a one-on-one conversation can cause the other person to keep talking, thereby dispensing useful information.

Yes, you can get good information from a phone call or text, but you’ll always get more in person.

Go somewhere where there will be no interruptions, with no computers in sight and smartphones turned off.