ASKING GOOD QUESTIONS

This article & video was originally posted on GroupLeaders.org and is copied here.

Asking good questions is one of the most important skills a group leader can develop. If you're like most leaders, you probably don't think of yourself as the most skilled asker of questions. The good news is, with some practice, you can develop this skill. That's what this training is all about.

BENEFITS OF ASKING GOOD QUESTIONS

1. They help people think for themselves and that creates ownership.
2. They help people problem-solve.
3. They keep you in control of the conversation.

WHAT MAKES A GOOD QUESTION?

Good questions are discovery-based. They're motivated by a genuine desire to understand and connect with the other person.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate yourself as a question asker?
2. Review the Level 1, 2, and 3 questions described in the video. Which are the easiest for you to ask? Which are most difficult? Why?

WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

How would you respond in the following scenario? What role might asking questions play in your response?

A member of your group expresses an interest in leading a group in the future. She has strong business leadership skills and experience but lacks self-awareness. For example, she sometimes says things that hurt other group members’ feelings and doesn’t seem to notice. You don’t think she will be ready to lead when your group multiplies. How do you respond to her inquiry?

TAKE ACTION

Think about some ways you can practice Level 1, 2, and 3 questions in your upcoming group meetings.