What is the right question?
January 7, 2009 by Phil Gerbyshak
Filed under management by quotation
What is the right question?
I mean really, as a manager, what is the right question to ask:
What is the right question?
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One of the best (list) of questions are: Why? How? Who? When? What?
Or how about “That’s interesting - tell me more.” even though it is not a question it does open plenty of opportunities!
The best question for all four categories:
Yourself: Do you understand (the challenge, the opportunity, the issue, etc.)?
Your Team: Do they understand (the challenge, the opportunity, the issue, etc.)??
Your Boss: Does he/she/they understand (the challenge, the opportunity, the issue, etc.)??
Your customer: Do they understand (the challenge, the opportunity, the issue, etc.)??
How can I best serve your needs?
Is there anything else I can do for you?
This question can apply to all, and you should especially ask yourself!
I’m a fan of question-driven approaches.
The first question that comes to mind for me is … 3 things going well? … 3 things to improve?
It forces a balanced perspective.
ASK any constituent: What is the one question I didn’t ask you that you wished I would have asked?
Awesome questions! So much to think about and use with my team. Thank you!
Here is the game plan I try to follow:
Before I ask a question, I need to listen to what was said. Sometimes the subtext of a statement will reveal more and help me ask better questions.
Whether that relates to what was said or unsaid.
Listen First, Ask Second.
Excellent answer J.T. Listening first does lead itself to better questions.