How to Ask Better Questions During Meetings
Author: Victoria Cohen
How to Ask Better Questions During Meetings
Asking the right kind of questions during meetings is essential to creating a productive environment for discussion and collaboration within your team.
Here are 5 tips for asking better questions during work meetings!
1. Think Before You Ask
Before jumping in and asking a question, take a moment to think about what you hope to gain from the answer. Consider if it’s an open-ended or closed-ended question, as this will determine the kinds of responses you get. Are you trying to solicit feedback? Spark creativity? Assess understanding? Have your question focused and ready before you ask.
2. Check Your Assumptions
When creating a question, try not to make assumptions about what people know or don’t know. Questions framed around facts may limit discussion or lead people down a predetermined path that isn’t necessarily relevant or helpful. Instead, focus on asking thought-provoking questions that leave room for interpretation and deeper conversation.
3. Remain Neutral
Neutrality is important when forming questions at work meetings—it avoids putting your colleagues on the spot or making them feel uncomfortable if they don’t have an immediate answer. Keep your language neutral when directing questions towards others so they know they aren’t being put on the spot or judged for their answers. For example: “What are some ideas we should consider with regards to…” instead of “Why haven’t we done something about…?”
4. Listen & Respond
Asking good questions involves more than just framing them correctly; it also requires actively listening and responding accordingly when answers are given. After someone has replied to your question, take some time to digest the response and build upon it with additional inquiry if necessary—this will ensure a more thorough exchange of information between participants in the meeting.
5. Invite Participation
It’s important to make sure everyone in attendance feels like they can contribute in some way during the meeting by inviting participation from all members present by using open-ended questions such as “What do you think about…?” or “How can we approach this issue?” Encouraging participation from everyone will help make meetings more inclusive and engaging overall.