6 Creative Questions To Move From HOW Are You To WHO Are You

By: Scott Ginsberg

There comes a time in every conversation with someone you’ve just met when you must cross the chasm between “HOW are you?” and “WHO are you?” A helpful technique for doing so is by asking creative, open ended questions. These questions function as front porches, inasmuch as their ability to build rapport, spark creativity and invite people to share their experiences and preferences. What’s more, they show an interest in people’s opinions and insights... More

10 Rules of Effective Listening

By: Linda Eve Diamond

Ask open questions. Open questions encourage the speaker. They elicit a more detailed response than closed questions. "What" and "Why" are usually helpful starts to open questions... More

Pretending Ignorance: Smart Is Dumb

Socrates used this technique more than 2300 years ago. He pretended ignorance in order to encourage others to express their views fully.

Selling by Asking Questions...

Searching questions can help you discover new opportunities, uncover the roots of a problem, and find creative solutions to it.

Asking searching questions starts with challenging assumptions. If you do not check assumptions you cannot be good at asking searching questions. Don't ask one or two questions and then rush straight towards a solution. With an incomplete understanding of the problem it is very easy to jump to wrong conclusions.

Ask open-ended questions that elicit a wide rage of answers:

Coaching Questions

Being the core component of the coaching ask/tell repertoire, coaching questions are "to prompt the learners into exploring issues in depth either by direct questions or by implied questions – even a raised eyebrow – so that they become more aware of what is going on and can eventually coach themselves and other. Feedback can then be used to discuss progress and provide guidance, but still by using questions and the main vehicle for progress whenever possible."⁴ ... More

3. Make relentless innovation a religion. Lead innovation, emphasize opportunities, not problems, and encourage innovative behavior. Establishing the culture of innovation requires a broad and sustained effort. Questions are critical to innovation, so start with creating a culture of questioning. Exploration of possibilities, discoveries, innovation, and progress start with challenging assumptions, asking searching “Why?” and “What if?” questions, and plying “What if” scenarios. Encourage your people to challenge assumptions, and run “The Best Question” contests. Reward both individual and collective contributions. Celebrate success.... More

Selecting a New Corporate Leader: 3 Questions to Answer

Lessons from Peter Drucker

Leadership is not rank, it is responsibility. It is the lifting of a subordinate’s vision to higher sights – the raising of a subordinate’s performance to a higher standard. It is the building of a subordinate’s personality beyond its normal limitations. A leader must set strict principles of conduct and responsibility, high standards of performance, and respect for the individual and his work... More