Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Ask the right question! The DOs of Effective Questioning...

Have you ever left a meeting or concluded a conversation feeling that you had not handled things properly or did not get the answer you expected? If your answer is YES, then read through this.

The DOs of effective Questioning:

a. Think First
Where the time, place and person for a conversation with a purpose is known in advance. Normally, the more we think and plan the conversation, the more effective will be.

b. Think Open Question
Bring them (problem holder) to the heart of the matter...the right questions can lead to the right answer to the problem holder.

c. Avoid Leading Questions
Leading questions can be phrased in a closed or open style and are the antithesis to promoting discovery or every problem solving because they push or lead to the 'one right' answer.
e.g. " Definitely you don't have problems about out targets?"

d. Avoid logical closed alternatives
e.g. " Well, it is clear that we have to either reduce costs or increase sales. Which do you prefer?"

e. Use perceptive probing questions
A perceptice probing questions is one that you can only ask when you have become a good listener...

f. Use the right wording
g. Keep questions simple
h. Keep questions single...one at a time
i. Provide answers, when asked
j. Practice - Being an effective questioner (and listener) does not come naturally to most of us. The only way you will improve is to practice, practice, practice and practice again...


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