3 questions you can ask in any situation

Have you ever been unsure what to say?

You want to say something, and you want to build rapport… but you are struggling to know what to say.

Maybe when you first meet someone, perhaps when you are networking, or maybe having lunch or a coffee with a work colleague.

There are many occasions when we can be stuck for words at work. Try using these simple questions in any situation and watch the stuckness become unstuck.

1) What do you think about X?

2) What possibilities come to your mind about X?

3) What would you like to have happen with X?

‘X’ can be anything. They key is to think of a topic – something about your company, something on the news, a future plan – any topic that is relevant to the person you are talking to.

Why these questions are great…..

– They are asking a person for their opinion. People loved to be asked their opinion.

– They are open questions that enable the other person to give a fuller response. Open questions help people feel that you are genuinely interested in their answers.

– They are crisp questions, short and to the point. There is nothing complicated about them.

Let’s look at some examples:

When networking:

1) What do you think about the event today?

2) What possibilities come you your mind after attending today?

3) What would you like to have happen after today’s event?

An example when having a coffee with a colleague:

1) What do you think about the latest announcement on X?

2) What possibilities come to your mind about the announcement?

3) What would you like to have happen following the announcement?

Next time you are stuck for words, try one of these questions and watch how the conversation unfolds.

Sarah Alexander, Executive Coach, Vivid.