How to Ask Great Questions (2024)

The Problem

Some professionals such as litigators, journalists and even doctors, are taught to ask questions as part of their training. But few executives think about questioning as a skill that can be honed. That’s a missed opportunity.

The Opportunity

Questioning is a powerful tool for unlocking value in companies: It spurs learning and the exchange of ideas, it fuels innovation and better performance, it builds trust among team members. And it can mitigate business risk by uncovering unforeseen pitfalls and hazards.

The Approach

Several techniques can enhance the power and efficacy of queries: Favor follow-up questions, know when to keep questions open-ended, get the sequence right, use the right tone, and pay attention to group dynamics.

How to Ask Great Questions (2024)

FAQs

How do you ask better questions to get better answers? ›

How to Ask Better Questions
  1. Ask one question at a time. ...
  2. Opt for shorter questions. ...
  3. Become comfortable with silence. ...
  4. Ask open-ended questions. ...
  5. Avoid “why” questions. ...
  6. Ask “what” and “how” questions. ...
  7. Consider whether to widen or narrow the funnel. ...
  8. Make people “weight” their decisions.
May 3, 2023

How to effectively ask questions? ›

Here are five steps to help you ask the right questions:
  1. Think about what you want to know. Think about what you hope to learn. ...
  2. Develop an open-ended question. Create an open-ended question related to what you want to know. ...
  3. Find the right person. ...
  4. Allow the person to answer. ...
  5. Ask follow-up questions. ...
  6. Thank the person.
Mar 10, 2023

How to ask powerful questions? ›

Open-ended questions with no hidden agenda. Meant to help the receiver of the question. characteristics may overlap. For example, a question could demonstrate that you are listening, presume positive intent, but also help the receiver of the question clarify his or her own thinking.

How to become a better question asker? ›

How to ask better questions at work
  1. Know what kind of answer you're looking for. The first step to formulating a question is figuring out what kind of answer you're looking for. ...
  2. Ask open-ended questions. ...
  3. Be a good listener. ...
  4. Ask follow-up questions. ...
  5. Say thank you.
Feb 3, 2023

What are some good questioning techniques? ›

The 4 key questioning strategies include:
  • designing higher cognitive questions.
  • developing a sequence of questions.
  • increasing wait time.
  • responding to answers - redirecting, probing, reinforcing.
Dec 8, 2022

What is effective questioning? ›

Being able to effectively question students is a skill that can enhance engagement, learning, creativity, passion, and curiosity. Effective questioning is characterized by how the students are able/required to respond: Structure - open (multiple possibilities) vs closed (one possibility)

What are the 4 ways of asking questions? ›

How to Form a Question in English
  • Asking a Basic Yes or No Question.
  • Forming Different Types of Questions.
  • Asking Indirect Questions.
  • Asking Tag Questions to Confirm Something.

What are the top 5 powerful questions? ›

5 Powerful Questions Every People Manager Needs to Know and Use
  • What do you think? Not rocket science is it? ...
  • What makes you think this? ...
  • Can you tell me more? ...
  • How can I support you with this? ...
  • What do you think are the next steps?

How can I be more curious and ask questions? ›

As you get curious, shift from away from asking “yes” or “no” questions, also called “closed questions.” Instead, strive to ask open-ended questions in your conversations. A closed-ended question can shut down the dialogue as it only asks for a yes or no or one-word answer.

What are powerful questioning skills? ›

Remember, the key to asking powerful questions lies in your ability to listen actively, be genuinely curious, and create an environment where team members feel comfortable sharing their ideas and perspectives.

How do you ask more intelligent questions? ›

How to ask smart questions
  1. Think about what you already know. Reviewing your existing knowledge on a subject can help you pinpoint any gaps. ...
  2. Confirm what you want to learn. ...
  3. Create a draft of your questions. ...
  4. Refine your questions. ...
  5. Ensure simplicity. ...
  6. Ask your questions confidently and politely.
Jun 24, 2022

How to give good replies? ›

How to respond to questions effectively
  1. Prepare for tough questions. ...
  2. Pause before responding. ...
  3. Monitor your body language. ...
  4. Reword the question. ...
  5. Take more time if you need to. ...
  6. Acknowledge the other person's emotions. ...
  7. Answer a portion of the question. ...
  8. Ask questions about the question.
Jun 9, 2023

How can you improve difficulty in asking questions? ›

Know your Purpose before asking questions – the first way to improve your questioning skills. Think about what you are trying to get from the situation before you start asking questions. Knowing your purpose will help you structure your questions better and improve your questioning techniques.

Which step can you take to improve your question answering? ›

The 6 Steps
  • Before you rush headlong into your answer – pause. ...
  • Then make sure you understand the question. ...
  • If appropriate, agree with the questioner. ...
  • Wherever possible, acknowledge the merit of the question (sincerely!). ...
  • If required, chunk your answer so your reply is easy to follow.
Oct 8, 2009

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