The Art of Asking Intelligent Questions

A Back Story of Sorts

I worked for almost 30 years in the corporate world.? During those years, I began to take note of the skills and behaviors that the top senior leaders demonstrated or used repeatedly. One skill that stood out was the ability to ask intelligent or probing questions in a non-threatening manner.? There were also other critical skills I saw used over and over again. Among the latter were “deep listening,” a second was “numeracy skills,” and, of the greatest importance, the ability to “helicopter.”? I plan on writing one or more short posts on these last three skills in the future.? In this post, however, I want to expand a bit on the first skill---asking intelligent questions.? I believe this skill is foundational for everyone because it requires one to give everyone the gift of attention and to become a superior listener.

The Art of Asking Intelligent Questions

To me, the art of asking intelligent questions is a key element for personal growth, as well as for achieving success in business or in our careers.? This questioning capability can be directed upward to the organizational leaders, to our business colleagues, and, finally, to our team members who work for us.? Each element of those communication relationships requires a different approach though.

All such communications require defining terms first to ensure understanding especially if the subject is a technical one or one that includes jargon that is not familiar to all parties. Also key is ensuring the conversation is a two-way dialogue.

Here are some questions and statements I have found useful in initiating or facilitating the questioning process:

• What is our purpose in meeting today?
• What does success look like?
• Why is this solution or recommendation the best?
• What other solutions did you consider?
• Help me to understand your position?
• Let me restate what I think you said or what I heard.
• How did you arrive at that conclusion?
• I do not think I made myself very clear, let me restate my question.
• Is this best practice or state of the art?

There are many questions of this type that we should develop and keep at the ready. In the fullness of time, we can hone this capability to a fine art. Its results and rewards will more than compensate for the time spent in development.

I hope this short post adds value to your life skills. If so, please share it with your extended network of friends and business colleagues.

Cordially,

Andrew J Guinosso

Reno, Nevada

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