Open-Ended Questions To Build Relationships
‘The best investment is in the tools of one’s trade’ -Benjamin Franklin
Open-ended questions are the tool you should invest in today.
They are the key to building relationships at work.
So find out to use them with these 4 tips, or learn on our Line Manager courses and get hands-on experience!
4 Tips For Open-Ended Questions
Open-ended questions require a detailed answer.
They are an amazing oppurtunity to get people talking.
If you phrase it right, even the most shy employees will open up!
Getting people talking is the best way to start building relationships.
Let’s go over some tips to get your open-ended questions right!
1. Clear And Concise.
Phrase your question clearly and concisely.
Unclear roles and communication cause team conflict in offices every day.
Make sure that the person you’re asking the question to is clear on what you’d like to understand.
If you are inviting them to answer at length, it’s essential to make sure they’re talking about the correct point!
2. Be Neutral
Stay neutral when asking your question.
That way, you are more likely to get the other person’s genuine view.
If you signal your preference when asking the question, you will alter their answer.
Then suddenly the question is more closed!
Ask: “Why do you think this problem arose?”
Rather than: “Do you think that this problem arose because of x?”
3. Give Them Time
Don’t rush the person you are talking to.
Let them take a little time, and if they pause to think, don’t rush to fill the pause.
You may cut off their answer halfway through and lose some valuable details.
4. Suggest A Follow-Up
Asking someone to speak again if they have any more thoughts, shows you are really interested.
This is a great way to build rapport with anyone, particularly in the workplace.
It also makes the question more open, as their answer isn’t limited to the initial conversation!
We’ve all had the experience of thinking of a great answer after a meeting has finished.
Take advantage of those great answers by making sure they actually get to you!
How Do They Build Relationships?
Relationships are founded on communication.
You can’t get to know someone without speaking to them!
But beyond that, they need to properly open up in order to trust you.
In the workplace, this can be very difficult!
Open-ended questions are key because they allow for the other person to:
- Say what they really think
- Insert their own opinions
- Take their time to respond
Conclusion
Open-ended questions are a hugely valuable tool.
They can transform your relationships and management up and down your organisation.
Next time you’ve time to prepare for a meeting, try to think of three really good open questions.
Ask them and see how much difference they make to the interaction!
They are a great basis for exploring someone’s issues and so starting to move towards a win-win outcome for everyone.
