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Have you ever really wanted to work with someone, perhaps a potential partner, mentor or team leader, but didn't know how to make it happen? Maybe you want to become more of a “people person,” learning to make meaningful connections or unlock leadership at work.
No matter what goals you may have, learn how to keep them COMMUNICATION open lines will create new opportunities, taking you forward in achieving your goal in business. Here are five circumstances where you can use the power of asking the right questions to open doors and lead you to new opportunities and connections.
Connected: How to ask really powerful questions as a leader (and why it's important)
1. Unlocking new opportunities
If you meet a potential business partner, mentor or team leader, you should have some key questions in hand that go below the surface. Often, it is not easy to meet new people. Icebreakers usually consist of comments about the weather, sports teams, or travel.
Getting others to talk for themselves and not just ordinary take-and-take is an art and a skill. You can start with the old “Who, What, Where, When and Why” journalistic article format. For example, you could ask “Who is your mentor?” or “Why did you start your business?” If you're partnering with another organization, you might ask, “What services do you offer that I might need?” Questions that focus on these categories can more quickly reveal whether certain networking relationships will yield results for you and your company.
2. Getting to know your team
In everyday business life, it's easy to feel unseen and unheard. Creating a culture of asking the right questions it opens up your ability to get to know the person behind your team members. Whether someone is valued for their knowledge of technology, their knowledge of sales, or their ability to write, we are all much more than the sum of our abilities. It is important to learn your team's passions, their vision for their future and why they are working for the company at this point in their lives.
You may learn things that set one team member apart from the rest – they might help the elderly or the disabled on their days off – but only you will find that out. valuable information if you ask. You may find that they have an entrepreneurial spirit and have a fun side hustle or family business. Or you may find that they travel – which could open up new vacation spots or expand the way you do your job. The right questions create a culture of respect, helping people discover more of who they are.
3. Knowing your audience
When you start bringing team members into your circle, it's important that know your audience. In other words, learn who you are dealing with and be open and inclusive as you engage with them rather than shutting down the flow of communication. Don't ask questions that put them on the spot. For example, don't assume that your team members love to talk about politics or that everyone loves sports. Be inclusive rather than expecting everyone to agree with your position or perspective.
It is important to make sure that the person you are talking to is a good receiver of what you are saying. Giving people the space to be themselves lets them know that you value them and want to get to know them for who they really are. Like many people, you may not feel comfortable breaking the ice and engaging team members you don't know well, but you can find help.
There are many online resources that provide possible lists open questions you can use, such as, “If you had a superpower, what would it be?” or “If you were a time traveler, what time period would you go back to?” Asking them to explain their answer will allow them to reveal their character in ways that ordinary communication patterns would not.
4. Asking interview questions
If you are interviewing a candidate for a job or doing one discovery call in considering a collaboration, asking the right questions gets the other person talking in a way that reveals what you need to know. In business, there are drivers and passengers when it comes to a conversation. The driver is not the one who talks all the time; the driver is the one who asks the questions that lead to a meaningful conversation.
Business leaders ask interview questions to quickly learn who is and who is not a good fit for the company. I often ask why the candidate wants to work for my business. I find out right away if they've done any research or know anything about what we do. By asking a question such as “What do you hope to gain from this experience?” can reveal a candidate's intent. You can also discover a potential hire's strength or resilience by asking about a challenge they've had to overcome in life. Asking the right questions in an interview can reveal the true character of someone you only have a few minutes to assess.
Connected: The only interview technique guaranteed to get you the truth
5. Knowing yourself
Effective questions don't always have to involve another person. Sometimes the relationship you need to work on the most is with yourself. Having honest, thought-provoking questions ask yourself monthly, quarterly or even daily can open you up to growth. For example, it helps to assess your progress in a company from time to time or even your motivation to provide the kind of service your position requires.
Ask yourself the hard questions: Am I living my purpose? Is the lifestyle of a business leader for me? Am I happy? Keeping a journal or taking notes on your phone can help you keep your heart and mind in line, making sure your personal goals and dreams don't get swept aside by the tide of business. If you find it difficult to be this honest with yourself, you can find an accountability partner, someone with compatible goals. You can also seek a mentor to guide you in planning how to navigate the necessary changes in your life, especially if your deep questions reveal that you have strayed from the path you originally set for yourself.
Putting these five strategies to work can be a real game changer for anyone who feels like they're missing human connection. Engaging team members, colleagues and potential employees with respect and grace can open doors and make your company a place where everyone wants to work.