How to Ask Intelligent Questions
Asking smart questions is an extremely important tool in effective communication by making it easier for people around you to provide the appropriate answer. The way a question is phrased determines the type of response you receive. Questions you want a specific, short answer for are easily formed. Review the steps detailed here to learn to ask more open-ended questions the smart way.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Ask yourself the first question internally before you verbally ask someone else to ensure you are on the right path. For example, you could start with, "What is currently going well with this project?" when leading up to questions about issues with the project. Design the question with the thought of what you'd like to know, which will get you the information you want and help you form the right follow-up questions.
-
2
Decide what type of response to your question you are looking for. Questions fall into two broad categories, open where you want a detailed response which opens up a dialogue, or closed where you want a yes/no or quick answer.
-
-
3
Pretend not to know all the details, even if you think you already do. Trying to impress someone with your knowledge prevents you from hearing other opinions, and you may prefer someone else's answer over yours. Continue asking questions even if you are aware of the answers.
-
4
Search for creative responses. In other words, do not ask one question and accept the first answer you receive. Follow-up with additional questions to get the person you are asking to think about the question more thoroughly.
-
5
Prompt those you are asking to delve deeper into the issue at hand. Use a combination of open and closed questions until you get the responses you need. Make sure you are being specific.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Open questions generally start with who, what, where or how. Open questions cannot be answered with a yes or no.
Closed questions often begin with are, can, did, do or is.
Be careful when asking many questions which begin with "why". Repeatedly asking why can come off as confrontational at times.
