Women at Work
The Essentials: Asking Purposeful Questions
Mar 24, 2025
Alison Wood Brooks, a Harvard Business School professor and author of TALK, shares insights on the power of purposeful questioning in the workplace. She emphasizes that strategic questions can enhance your executive presence and showcase leadership potential. The discussion also touches on the nuances of communication, especially for women and introverts, and how open-ended inquiries promote engagement. Additionally, Brooks provides tips on navigating virtual dialogue, making the art of questioning a vital tool for professional advancement.
40:43
Episode guests
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Purposeful questions not only gather information but also demonstrate strategic thinking and leadership potential in workplace conversations.
- Effective questioning, particularly in group settings, requires balancing clarity and context to encourage openness while minimizing defensiveness.
Deep dives
The Power of Purposeful Questions
Purposeful questions are characterized by their clear intent and ability to move conversations forward. These types of questions foster openness and confidence, encouraging a productive dialogue while minimizing defensiveness. They are crucial not just for effective communication but also for developing executive presence, which is beneficial for advancing one's career. The complexity of framing purposeful questions lies in balancing the need for clarity and context without undermining one’s credibility.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
