"Oftentimes people know their solutions, it is in them, we just have to ask the right questions for them to say what the solutions are." - Pat EnnisPat Ennis is a founder and President of ENNIS Legacy Partners. He helps business owners build sellable business value, control their exit, and leave their desired legacy. Pat has extensive executive leadership experience in wealth management and the non-profit sector. Additionally, Pat is a host of the Exit Readiness PodcastI have known Pat for over 20 years and have experienced his skill at asking targeted and meaningful questions. His model of humility and patiently asking questions has been beneficial over the years. Our discussion provides a tangible example of the path curiosity can take a conversation.We cover a lot of ground in our discussion. Pat explains how sales and serving his clients is first and foremost about being curious and taking a genuine interest in the individual sitting across the table. He talks about using questions to test assumptions and how asking meaningful questions is a means of loving others.I thoroughly enjoyed the discussion, laughter, wisdom and the impromptu invite at the end.I trust you will enjoy the conversation as much as I did.Show NotesPat explains early work history with questions [3:10]How Pat got started selling insurance right out of High School [5:20]How interest in others drives techniques [7:09]ENNIS Legacy Partners origin story and how business owners were an inspiration [9:26]Three questions Pat asks business owners about plans for selling a business [12:35]Being present in today's world and the benefit to others and yourself [16:50]Intentional about being presents and interested [18:45]Testing assumptions [20:29]Coaching Business Leaders [21:32]Counseling and recommended speaking to listening ratios [23:00]Discussing the confirmation question, "you know I'm for you?" in difficult conversations [24:30]Humility and the desire to seek to understand [28:00]Impact of social media on the ability to foster conversation [34:45]What does it look like to love others [39:30]How to meet others [47:43]Contact information for Pat Ennis [54:30]Reources Mentioned:ENNIS Legacy PartnersPeter Drucker Quote: "My greatest strength as a consultant is to be ignorant and ask a few questions"David Powlison & Christian Counseling and Educational FoundationBecause Of Them We CanPhilippa HughesBrene BrownCal Fussman Questions Asked:When did you first understand the power of questions?How did you get so interested in questions to begin with?Were you given training or sent to the wolves?Have you modified your questions through different jobs?Did your curiosity about others start with work?Have you found any particular questions that are useful in different circumstances?When are you thinking you want to exit or leave your business?Do you know how much money you are going to need to do what you want to do next?Have you thought about who you want to sell the business to?Why do you think that is the only thing you can do?Do you think there is a hack to asking better questions or do you just have to ask many to get to the answer?Do you use any other questioning techniques for other areas?Do you know I'm for you?Have you had any mentors that helped you with questions?How do you see questions used in the world are they used enough?Do you think social media is impacting our ability to have conversations?Do you find that asking questions communicates care for other people?What are three go-to questions to meet new people?Why is your best friend your best friend?

“It kinda felt like a punch in the gut, and felt guilty for even thinking that I could know what someone’s story was before sitting down to talk with them.” Rob LawlessRob Lawless is on a mission to connect with strangers one on one and get to know one another for an hour. His starting goal is 10,000 conversations, and I was his 3,097th.Rob has crisscrossed the United States and ventured into Canada as he catalogs his steadily increasing numbers on Instagram @Robs10kFriends. He discusses his reasons behind wanting to connect with others, his vision for the future, how to build empathy, and being an active listener.Our initial connection was in October of 2018 at the intersection of his project and my #YearOfConnection (@kenwoodward99) project on Instagram. This conversation includes some of my stories as Rob sought to learn about my connection journey to ensure he was faithful to the spirit of counting me among his 10k conversations.I am grateful to the Tru by Hilton Audobon Valley Forge hotel for hosting our discussion. The background sounds were indicative of the happy hotel staff and guests.Episode Notes:Uses his planned trip to Albania in 2020 as an overview of his project. [00:30]How confidence and gratitude increased during his project.  [03:40]Rob's approach to the conversation [08:56]Where Rob starts his conversations and the structure he uses to understand people. [11:13]Why Rob doesn’t put pressure on people during conversations. [13:30]Pie analogy to understand primary elements of life. [13:50]Thoughts about how to make human connection with others a viable option for busy people. [22:00]Why he created the #12FriendChallenge [25:30]Why questions are solutions for shy people in conversations [31:45]What the next 10 years of conversation and achieving his goal will look like. [32:30]Expects EQ will be more important than IQ in the future. [36:40]Why he insists on strictly one-on-one conversations. [38:27]Discusses international travel plans. [47:02]Resources Mentioned:KOTA The FriendDrakeTim FerrissQuestions Asked:How has your life changed as a result of this project?Have you found any useful questions during your conversations?Is career a big or small part of life?Who is someone in your top five favorite musical artists?What are routine things you do in your life outside of work?What caused a transition?How did you know that was not your true identity?How did you start to work on your true identity?How did you start to work toward your true self?Why did you make human connection important?What was the best way to connect with people?When did you learn the power of questions?What happens when you reach your goal?Have there been any surprises on this journey?Are there any places you would like to visit?

The anticipated podcast compendium to the website has become a reality.Curated Questions is curating the worlds most important and interesting  questions. The podcast engages experts who are implementing best practices to make the most of each question.Check out the trailer and then subscribe. Great discussions and tips will be delivered for your listening pleasure.