Great managers ask great questions.
Here are my tactics for asking world-class questions:
Here are my tactics for asking world-class questions:
1. Ask like you're 5
Seemingly “stupid”/childish questions directly test assumptions.
And identify critical beliefs that might be wrong.
Physicist Richard Feynman solved the Challenger explosion before any rocket scientist using basic questions around first principles.
Seemingly “stupid”/childish questions directly test assumptions.
And identify critical beliefs that might be wrong.
Physicist Richard Feynman solved the Challenger explosion before any rocket scientist using basic questions around first principles.
2. Start with emotion
Think about how you want others to feel.
Then form questions.
Example:
"Show me how to do this" makes employees think they're being tested or doubted.
"Can you teach me this?" makes them think they're valued and smart.
Think about how you want others to feel.
Then form questions.
Example:
"Show me how to do this" makes employees think they're being tested or doubted.
"Can you teach me this?" makes them think they're valued and smart.
3. Actively listen
Most people are just thinking about what they’ll say next.
Instead, focus 100% on their answer.
Give nonverbal confirmation with nods, smiles, and eye contact.
Once you truly hear the other person, then ask your next question.
Most people are just thinking about what they’ll say next.
Instead, focus 100% on their answer.
Give nonverbal confirmation with nods, smiles, and eye contact.
Once you truly hear the other person, then ask your next question.
4. Use silence
We're naturally uncomfortable with silence.
So...
We talk too much to avoid it.
But, the average person takes 10 seconds to process answers.
Slow down when asking questions.
Strategic silence improves answer quality.
We're naturally uncomfortable with silence.
So...
We talk too much to avoid it.
But, the average person takes 10 seconds to process answers.
Slow down when asking questions.
Strategic silence improves answer quality.
5. Simple beats complex
Don't use big words.
Don't combine multiple questions into one.
How often do you hear, "What was the question again?"
Simple questions help get the answer you want.
Complex/confusing questions get rambling, off-topic answers.
Don't use big words.
Don't combine multiple questions into one.
How often do you hear, "What was the question again?"
Simple questions help get the answer you want.
Complex/confusing questions get rambling, off-topic answers.
6. Read the room
Asking questions involves psychology.
Consider the person you’re talking to.
Before asking each question, consider:
* Right time/place?
* What's the context?
* How could this go wrong?
* What don't I know?
* What are they thinking?
Asking questions involves psychology.
Consider the person you’re talking to.
Before asking each question, consider:
* Right time/place?
* What's the context?
* How could this go wrong?
* What don't I know?
* What are they thinking?
7. Direct the conversation
Some conversations, like employee 1-1s, must flow.
You're trying to find "unknown unknowns."
Open-ended Q's let chats wander:
"How are things?"
Specific Q's direct the convo:
"What's the status of X?"
Some conversations, like employee 1-1s, must flow.
You're trying to find "unknown unknowns."
Open-ended Q's let chats wander:
"How are things?"
Specific Q's direct the convo:
"What's the status of X?"
8. Avoid throwaway questions
You ask at the end of a meeting, "Any questions?"
And get polite no's in response.
You used a "throwaway" question!
Instead, ask something like:
"What could go wrong here?"
You'll get actual feedback.
You ask at the end of a meeting, "Any questions?"
And get polite no's in response.
You used a "throwaway" question!
Instead, ask something like:
"What could go wrong here?"
You'll get actual feedback.
9. Practice, Practice, Practice
It takes decades to get great at asking questions.
Listen to early interviews by Oprah, Stern, or @tferriss.
Rough.
Hard work made them all the greatest today.
It takes decades to get great at asking questions.
Listen to early interviews by Oprah, Stern, or @tferriss.
Rough.
Hard work made them all the greatest today.
And some other tips:
- Q's frame conversations. Even in adversarial situations, words like "we/us" change perspectives.
- Ask for permission with tough questions to help others open up.
- Go slow. People need time to be ready for hard questions.
- Q's frame conversations. Even in adversarial situations, words like "we/us" change perspectives.
- Ask for permission with tough questions to help others open up.
- Go slow. People need time to be ready for hard questions.
tl;dr:
* Use “Ask like you're 5”
* Start with emotions
* Actively listen
* Use silence
* Keep it simple
* Read the room
* Direct the conversation
* Avoid throwaway questions
* Practice, practice, practice
* Use “Ask like you're 5”
* Start with emotions
* Actively listen
* Use silence
* Keep it simple
* Read the room
* Direct the conversation
* Avoid throwaway questions
* Practice, practice, practice
Now it’s your turn. Any questions on questions?
If this was helpful, I’d appreciate a like & retweet on the first post here:
If this was helpful, I’d appreciate a like & retweet on the first post here:
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