5 ways to ask effective open-ended questions

I was introduced to the art of asking powerful questions when I started working at a large American multinational company. I saw that need in every meeting I attended. The Indian educational system does not necessarily build our skills to ask open-ended, effective and constructive questions. The quest then for me was to relearn to ask questions, in a meaningful way that tugged at curiosity rather than judgment.

The ability to formulate and ask effective?open-ended?questions?enables our?ability to break down and effectively analyze an issue to come to a constructive solution. This critical thinking is core to your success.?

5 ways to unlock your ability to ask effective?open-ended?questions:

1. Listen actively to fully grasp another person’s diverse point of view without judgement, making it easier to question your own assumptions and biases.
2. Be willing to drop your defensiveness. Critical thinking can lead you to fundamentally reconsider your initial assumptions.
3. Be your curious self. Know how the person is thinking and ask questions that are open-ended.?Avoid asking closed-ended questions which can be responded with a yes-or-no. Instead, try to get the respondent to elaborate with a ‘what’ and open up.
4. Have a conversation and not a debate. Hold the space for the respondent to share views, be unafraid to challenge the status quo and at the same time be ready to change the course, if you do need to.
5. Reflect over the pertinent question in your own time rather than reacting to a thought.?Sleep with the question you have on your mind and a good night's rest would help you to see the problem more clearly.