Home Add to Favorite Contact Submit  
             28 March, 2024
 

    
Category:  Articles » Writing & Speaking » Public-Speaking

 

Are You Asking The Right Questions?

Popularity:
         Views: 1655
2007-03-14 08:58:41     
Article by Yvonne Ryan

Everyone knows how to ask questions. But are you asking the right questions in an interview, on the job, or in a social situation? Knowing how to question others effectively is both a skill and an art.

How to Begin

Learning the art of asking questions effectively requires a little forethought. For example:

• What is it you really want/need to know?

• Why do you need the information?

• How much detail do you require?

• Who is/are the right resource(s)?

• How do you gain access to these resource(s)?

• What do you need to know about a resource in order to get the resource's best response?

• What form of response do you desire?

• What are your criteria for satisfaction?

You may consider these factors unconsciously most of the time. However, make not mistake, asking yourself these questions before you approach a resource saves time and makes all the difference in your success at getting the result or information you desire.

Be Prepared!

No successful interviewer or journalist goes into an interview unprepared - neither should you. Lack of preparation will severely limit your chances for success. It is imperative that you be clear about the exact nature of the information you seek, and why you are asking the question in the first place. This keeps you focused, and provides justification for the request.

1. Are you looking for information, a perspective, expert advice, a referral or introduction, directions, reassurance, support, and/or a potential starting starting point?

2. How much do you need or want to know? What level of detail do you require? What are your criteria for satisfaction?

3. What is the level of security associated with the information you seek?

4. What form of response will suit you best? Answers can take many forms - words, sign language, pictures, schematics or blueprints, mathematics, music, or some other sensory format.

5. What is the relative importance (priority) associated with your query?

6. How urgently do you need a response?

Be Clear About Your Intent

People, especially strangers, are more likely to answer your questions when they understand your reason(s) for asking. Obvious? Yes, but if you are walking away from a conversation feeling cheated or dissatisfied with the exchange, part of the problem may be rooted in whether or not you asked the question(s) that you intended to ask.

Approach the Appropriate Resource(s) in the Right Context

When requesting information or clarification, do you make your questions count by consulting the most knowledgeable resource available, or do you simply start asking questions of whoever is around and hope for the best? Ask around - consult the media, the internet, professional organizations, or a trusted friend or associate. Credentials may give you a clue, but a successful track record is more important. Find out what you can about a targeted resource. Even comments made by enemies or rivals can be revealing.

How do you know whether or not your targeted resource will speak with you or be willing to answer your questions? You don't. However, as the saying goes..."Nothing ventured, nothing gained." If the person snubs you or doesn't return your calls or e-mail, be persistent, but polite. If that doesn't work, try someone else. One more thing - never assume that anyone is the absolute authority on anything - get a second and third opinion where possible.

Are you being sensitive to the best timing, both with regard to when a question is appropriate and the duration of your questioning? Approach each targeted resource in a respectful manner and at an appropriate place and time - be creative, but not intrusive or obnoxious. Seek an introduction through a mutual contact. If that's not possible, take a chance and call or e-mail the targeted resource - whether or not they respond is always their choice.

Build Rapport

Once you make contact, try to establish rapport with the resource by making your C.A.S.E.

Common experiences - Start by asking questions about experiences and/or perspectives that you may have in common.

Abilities and knowledge - Share your skills, knowledge, and abilities in a manner that is helpful to your resource. A dialogue is a mutually beneficial exchange. A monologue becomes either a soapbox harangue or a self-promotion.

Sincerity - Be sincere. Be yourself! (Who else could you possibly be?) Speak from your heart and with conviction.

Etiquette - Be polite and respectful. This builds rapport more easily than demands and sarcasm. Don't waste time asking questions of people who can't (or won't) give you a satisfactory or complete answer. There are lots of resources available. Take your best shot and don't allow yourself to become discouraged when your attempts don't always work out as expected.

Speak a Common Language

Proper preparation, clarifying and focusing on your intent, and targeting the appropriate resource in the right context will all contribute to your success as a questioner. However, the way you compose and express a question - the "language" and delivery used - is equally important.

The language of your question needs to be in terms you and your resource both understand. Even when speaking the same ethnic language (English, Spanish, Russian, etc.), your choice of terminology, phrasing, and non-verbal cues make a difference. For example, you may think you are asking one question, while your resource "hears" a different question. In turn, the response you receive may seem unclear or be misinterpreted by you, simply because you and your resource are not speaking the same "language."

Practice, Practice, Practice

Granted, given the circumstances and time constraints, you may not always have a pre-planned list of questions handy, but the art of asking pertinent and useful questions can become second nature to you. It can be developed and mastered with practice.

Remember: Learning to ask the right questions takes both skill and creativity, but anyone can become a competent practitioner if willing to put in the effort.

Specialized in: Yvonne Ryan - Business Coaching - Leadership - Leadership Coach - Facilitation - Training - Personal Development - Management - Technical Leadership - Team Building - Conflict Management
URL: http://www.leadersedgeca.com
Print article      Bookmark this page
Related Articles 
Michael Costigan - Youth Speaker and Teen CEO (Popularity: ): Michael's a youth speaker and teen CEO. He challenges teens to live their own life and not according to someone else's plan for them.Michael Costigan is a voice for all young adults. He speaks to both teens and the adults who care about them.Many teens think the surest way to success and happiness is conformity. Michael wants to change that for your teen audience because it simply isn't true. He's ...
How to Write a Bridesmaid Speech (Popularity: ): What fun, your best friend is getting married and you are the Bridesmaid. Only problem is you have to give a speech and now you want to know how to write a bridesmaid speech. Well, if you keep to a few basic principles you will not have a problem.1. Here is an idea of a basic outline you can use: * Start by introducing yourself, remember not everyone knows who ...
Commencement Speeches Are What You Make of Them (Popularity: ): Commencement speeches are well named because they are always about a new start. They are also, of course, about an ending. Such speeches are what are used when students are leaving High school to go to University or when graduates are leaving University to start their careers.These speeches should, therefore, be motivational in tone. They are saying "You are now qualified to go on with your life." These speeches give ...
The Best Public Speakers in the World & How You Can Learn From Them (Popularity: ): Let me start by first introducing you to the world's best public speakers - stand-up comedians.Here are some reasons why they are the best:1) They have nothing to offer you except a bunch of crap and yet they can keep you listening for hoursIf you have the chance to go to a live stand-up show, observe the good ones. Observe the topics they talk about. It's absolutely RANDOM NONSENSE! Sometimes ...
Ceremonial Speech Topics - 6 Things You Need to Know Before Choosing a Topic (Popularity: ): Just imagine how great it would be if you could walk away from your ceremonial speech, knowing that you have done a great job and that people would love to hear you speak again. Well believe or not you can achieve it and no you don't need to be an experience speaker but you do need to have chosen your topic wisely. Making sure you get the right topic will ...


Related Business 
GMAT Questions (Popularity: ): GMAT Questions, Are you in search of this? Visit us now for GMAT Questions, GMAT Sample Questions, Practice Questions, GMAT Books & complete GMAT Preparation. There is a lot more science to it. So GMAC (the council that creates the GMAT questions) actually does a lot more than pay some content-writers to write up some questions for say 10 bucks a piece.
Information Resource Center (Popularity: ): Get the latest official DSA driving theory test 2010/11 questions with case study style questions and practice all official DSA car and motorcycle questions from which actual exam questions are chosen.
Correct Medical Questions & Answers (Popularity: ): Get your medical questions answered free. If you have any questions related to medical health, you can visit this site for more medical information. All these medical questions and advices are for educational purpose only.
Questions In Plastic Surgery (Popularity: ): The website of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery Questions MCQs (Multiple Choice questions ). The site is for medical students to help them prepare for various enterance examinations in plastic surgery. Answers are given after a set of five questions.
Ego Astra Questions and Answers (Popularity: ): EgoAstra is a Questions and Answers website: it is a place where people can come to find the answers to the questions they are inquiring about on any subject or topic. EgoAstra is an online community of people coming together to share their knowledge by answering questions.
Questions Kids Ask About God (Popularity: ): Answers questions normally asked by children about God and the Bible. Updated weekly with new questions.
Bible Query (Popularity: ): Answers to questions about difficult verses and terminology in the Bible. Most questions are grouped under books of the Bible, and some topical questions as well.
Surgery Multiple Choice Questions (Popularity: ): This web site is for medical students to help them prepare for various enterance examinations. Answers and explanations to the surgery questions are provided after 5 questions and we have used Standard text books for references.To help you in your quest we have included search options in all the pages.
Javat Point (Popularity: ): Javatpoint (Java Tutorial Point) provides easy and point to point learning of java. In this website, you will get a lot of useful tutorials with simple examples. There are many interview questions related to core java, servlet, jsp etc. We provide assurance of 90% interview questions. We have provided 170 core java interview questions, 20 servlet interview questions and 20 JSP interview questions.
Medical Questions Answered (Popularity: ): Medical questions answered free. If you are worried about your health and want to ask medical questions than feel free to visit and get free medical questions answered. Hospitals for swine flu treatment are attempting their best to give best treatment to affected person.