Don't Ask "What's Up?" Ask, "How Are You?" | Catherine Mattiske
The Power of a Good Question to Instantly Connect With Others
How many times a day do you find yourself asking someone how they are doing, and they respond with "Good, what's up with you?" We've all been there. We ask someone how they are doing and get the standard, "Good, what's up with you?" in return. But what if we changed the way we asked the question? What if instead of asking "What's up?" we asked, "How are you?"
The Impact of Asking "How Are You?"
When you ask someone “How are you?’” you show that you care about them and their well-being. It's a simple act of kindness that can make a big difference in someone's day. When you ask someone how they are doing, you are giving them an opportunity to open up and share what's going on in their life. You never know what someone is going through, and by asking how they are doing, you might just brighten their day.
Asking "How Are You?" Can Help You Connect With Others
In today's fast-paced world, going through the motions without connecting with others is easy. We text, email, and tweet, but sometimes we forget to connect with the people around us. Asking "How are you?" is a great way to start a conversation and connect with others. It shows that you care about them and want to know more about their life.
It’s what happens next, that makes the difference.
We've all been there. You ask someone how they are, and then as soon as they start to answer, you tune out. Maybe you're not interested in their answer, or you're just preoccupied with your thoughts. Either way, it's not a great way to show that you care about someone.
Do you find yourself doing this often? It can be difficult to really listen to someone, especially if you're not used to it. The next time you speak with someone, focus on what they're saying. Really pay attention to their words and their body language. It'll take some practice, and eventually, it'll become second nature.
Listen to their answer the next time you ask someone how they are. Don't just wait for your turn to speak. Show that you care about what they have to say, and you might be surprised by how much better your relationships will become.
Your relationships will improve because people will see that you care about them and are interested in what they say. They'll also appreciate the fact that you're taking the time to truly listen to them. So the next time you ask someone “How are you?”, make sure you listen to the answer!
How Asking “How Are You?” Can Unlock Your Inner Genius
What if I told you that some of the world's smartest, most successful people credit their success to personal solid connections?
You might think I'm talking about networking or making friends in high places. And while those things can certainly help you get ahead, I'm talking about something much deeper and more intimate: your inner circle.
The people you surround yourself with have a profound impact on your life and your ability to achieve your goals. In fact, research has shown that the single biggest predictor of success is not who’s smarter or who’s more talented, or even opportunity. It's the quality of your relationships.?By building an inner circle of quality relationships builds your opportunity to learn, connect, communicate, and influence.
If you want to unlock your Inner Genius, it helps to surround yourself with the right people.
Conclusion:
Next time you find yourself about to ask someone "What’s up?" try asking them "How are you?" instead – then stop and actively listen to their answer. You might be surprised by the impact of such a simple question. By asking others how they are doing, you show that you care about them and want to connect with them on a deeper level and bring them into your inner circle. So go ahead and give it a try! Who knows, you might just make their day!
Catherine Mattiske, best known for creating?ID9 Intelligent Design?and the?Genius Quotient (GQ),?is a leading light in the corporate learning and team-building industries.?She regularly works with large and small organizations to help team members better understand one another while effectively collaborating and boosting individual and team morale and productivity in the workplace.