Questions can help us achieve many ends that are positive and pro social. But you did mention that goals were not always as friendly, such as intimidation and avoiding responsibility. So this is another way to get information, i suppose, but you're doing it in a very unpleasant way. You might try to trap some one into making a mistake,. And so that's not very pleasant. In a lot of times, that has to do with power dynamics.
The information you receive is only as strong as the questions you ask. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Stanford Graduate School of Business lecturers Matt Abrahams and Debra Schifrin discuss how to craft inquiries that can lead to better communication outcomes. Questions are also instrumental in building relationships, Schifrin points out. “If you’re asking questions, you’re signaling to the other person that you value them. You’re taking time to listen to their answers.”
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