🤔 How to Ask Open-Ended Questions That Spark Good Conversation

Hi everyone,

I was thinking about something that an old mentor said to me one time:

“People will leave a conversation thinking that they have had the most meaningful, deepest connection in their life and all they have done is talk about themselves”

The idea that someone could really have their life changed just by talking about themselves I thought was crazy.

We know ourselves inside and out, why would just talking about ourselves change anything?

That’s when I learned about the power of asking open-ended questions

What are open-ended questions?

an open-ended question is typically a question that begins with:

• What

• How

• Why

The reason these are different from other types of questions is because they require the other person to give more than a 1-word answer. These would be closed questions that give a yes or no answer.

When to use open-ended questions?

You can use them at:

• Social Gatherings

• Networking events

• Business meetings

• Dinner Parties

• Conversations with colleauges

• Manager 1-2-1’s

• Job interviews

• Parents Evenings

What are the benefits of open questions?

• Bring energy to a conversation. By increasing likeability and simultaneously making others feel more confident, there’s a natural energy induced into the conversation!

• Reduce awkward silences. A close-ended question might cut a conversation short, but an open-ended question might keep it moving along. 

• Boost self-esteem. As people feel your interest in them with open-ended questions, they may get a confidence boost. Your interest makes them feel more interested!

• Provide better feedback. Instead of a one-sided view, open-ended questions provide a clearer picture from various perspectives about a situation, ultimately allowing people to solve problems better and address issues.

• Encourage people to open up. Open-ended questions feel like permission to share feelings and ideas with others who are interested in hearing them

Examples of Open-Ended Questions

Here are some you can use!

• What are you looking forward to this week?

• What’s your most memorable vacation?

• What do you love most about what you do?

• What cheers you up on a bad day?

• What kind of people are you hoping to meet here today?

• What’s your background, and how did you get to where you are now?

• What’s the most exciting thing you’ve been working on lately?

• What was the best part of your day?

• What are three things you’re grateful for today?

• If you could choose to have any superpower, what would it be and why?

• If you could time travel, where would you go and why?

• Tell me about yourself and what you’re trying to accomplish.

• What is one of your biggest challenges?

• What are your goals?

I hoped you enjoyed this insight into asking open-ended questions, I am really interested in getting your feedback on this newsletter so if you could take a moment and fill out my feedback form that would be appreciated ⬇

Kind Regards

Sebastian