Business Problems Solved Podcast Are You Comfortable With Silence When Asking Questions?
When asking better questions, how comfortable are you with silence as a response? Not all questions require a yes or no answer and a team’s strength is built with open-ended questions that require more thought. Is your discomfort with silence causing unconsidered answers and thus unsatisfactory solutions?
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Fundamentally, becoming more comfortable with silence can help you with coaching your team.
- Common responses to silence are; rephrasing a question to elicit a more immediate response, answering the question themselves or providing prompts or suggestions. Anything to break the silence.
- Ask questions that require more thought such as “How can you visualise the performance of your team?”
- Create the space and time for the answer to occur.
BEST MOMENTS
‘You might be somebody that when you get in a lift and you're travelling with people you don’t know, do you break that silence with an uncomfortable giggle?’
’I encourage you to think of an open question. Think of a question that requires some thinking.’
‘Your ability to be comfortable with silence I think is an important factor in your ability to coach and lead your people.’
VALUABLE RESOURCES
Business Problems Solved Podcast
ABOUT THE HOST
For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses.
In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material.
Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.
CONTACT METHOD
You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194