by: peter1510
Total views: 1
Word Count: 639

Asking the right questions can help you to kick off a conversation on a positive note. However there are a few secrets to making the most of this tactic. What you need to do is keep in mind that conversations should be a two-way process. Questions can be used at all stages of a conversation and for various reasons, but their aim should be to bring the other person into the conversation and help them to contribute fully towards fulfilling the aim of the conversation. What makes a good conversation question? What makes a good conversation question? That's a very good question! It depends on why you're asking the question. Basically, what you need to do is keep in mind that conversations should be a two-way process. Questions can be used at all stages of a conversation and for various reasons, but their aim should be to bring the other person into the conversation and help them to contribute fully towards fulfilling the aim of the conversation. 1. Open-ended questions are great for bringing another person into the conversation and showing them that you care about what they say. Open-ended questions can't be answered with a one word answer like 'yes' or 'no'. That's good because the answer then gives you something to build upon in your next responses. Are there any drawbacks to using open-ended questions? Unfortunately, yes, open-ended questions have their problems. They work well where everyone in the conversation wants to share control of the conversation, listen to everyone else and there is enough time for the conversation to allow for proper sharing and listening. Where that isn't the case and time is limited, open-ended questions may be a luxury you can't afford. Open-ended questions also imply shared control of a conversation, and that shared control has to be real in order to be meaningful. If you're a boss talking to a worker and wanting them to follow some instructions for you that are not negotiable - don't waste time with open-ended questions. 2. Mirror questions can be used to encourage other people to speak in a conversation. They are non-directive, though, because they leave the respondent space to decide how to respond. Mirror questions are aimed at getting more detail from someone on a topic you've already been talking about. Here is an example of a mirror question: "I'm feeling really tired" can be mirrored back to the person as "Do you feel like you haven't as much energy as usual?" 3. Probing questions are a way of getting more information or clarification on a topic. They aren't interrogations or cross -examinations. They are follow-up questions that request more information from the other person. These are good questions because most people need to be encouraged if they are to talk in greater depth and learn more about each other. Few people divulge more information willingly, perhaps for fear of 'going on' and boring people. Help them to open up by asking a probing question. "You bought that shirt at _________? How do you find their sizing? Do they give small or large fits, do you think?" 4. Leading questions are bad. Don't use them. They can be manipulative, getting people to say what you want them to say. The information you get from them can therefore be false, as the person answering you may just say what they think you want them to say. That's not a great basis for a conversation is it? So, remember to use questions as a really useful tool within your conversations. Good conversation questions really take your conversations to a deeper level and enable you to find out a lot more about the person you're talking to.

About the Author

Peter Murphy is a peak performance expert. He recently produced a very popular free report: 10 Simple Steps to Developing Communication Confidence. Apply now because it is available only at: http://www.conversationtalk.com/report.htm

---

View PDF | Print View

---

Rating: Not yet rated

--Choose-- 0 1 2 3 4 5

Comments

No comments posted.

Add Comment

You do not have permission to comment. If you log in, you may be able to comment.
Next Article - Communication in the Workplace - 7 Success Secrets
Previous Article - How to Start a Conversation in 10 Easy Ways

More Related Articles In This Category

1: Practice Safe Sex on the Phone - Psychologist Warns of Dangers of Erotic Hypnosis With Phone Sex!
2: Healing Soul Wounds: Personal Growth To Change Your Life
3: Be Your Own Life Coach: Five Important Steps for Coaching Yourself to Success
4: It's Not Possible To Listen And Talk At The Same Time
5: One Of The Keys To Success In Life
6: How To Avoid Procrastination
7: Start Creating Your Masterpiece Today
8: Ten Self Esteem Building Strategies That Work
9: Discover How To Be Inspired From Learning The Great Attributes of Successful Individuals
10: How To Generate An Influx Of Ideas And Effectively Do Things The Successful Achiever Way
11: Transforming Negative Thoughts Into Attraction
12: How To Control Frustration
13: Where Is The Fear's Origin
14: Become Recession Proof: How To Thrive During A Poor Economy
15: The Importance of Multiple Streams of Income
16: My Spouse had an Affair - Do I Need Counseling? From Barrington, Lake Zurich and Palatine
17: Relationship Problems? You Should Try Counselling
18: Creating An Abundant Lifestyle
19: Marital Infidelity: Get Counseling Before Its Too Late! From Crystal Lake and McHenry
20: How Do You Define Success?
21: Marital Troubles: Should We Get Counseling? From Huntley, Algonquin and Crystal Lake, IL
22: How To Rebuild Your Self Confidence
23: Are You Looking For A Job In Miami
24: Unconditional Love - A Realistic Relationship Goal or a Romantic Fantasy?
25: To Survive an Affair and Save your Marriage Do Not Do This! From Cary, Crystal Lake and Huntley, IL

---

For WebMasters

Link This Article - HTML Code -

<a href="http://americanahost.com/articles/personal-development/Advice/how-to-use-a-good-conversation-question-to-fuel-discussion.html" target=_blank>How to Use a Good Conversation Question to Fuel Discussion</a>

Link This Article - BBcode -

[url=http://americanahost.com/articles/personal-development/Advice/how-to-use-a-good-conversation-question-to-fuel-discussion.html]How to Use a Good Conversation Question to Fuel Discussion[/url]

Copy This HTML Code To Put This Article In Your Web Site.

<h1>How to Use a Good Conversation Question to Fuel Discussion</h1><br><br> <br><br> Asking the right questions can help you to kick off a conversation on a positive note. However there are a few secrets to making the most of this tactic. What you need to do is keep in mind that conversations should be a two-way process. Questions can be used at all stages of a conversation and for various reasons, but their aim should be to bring the other person into the conversation and help them to contribute fully towards fulfilling the aim of the conversation. What makes a good conversation question? What makes a good conversation question? That's a very good question! It depends on why you're asking the question. Basically, what you need to do is keep in mind that conversations should be a two-way process. Questions can be used at all stages of a conversation and for various reasons, but their aim should be to bring the other person into the conversation and help them to contribute fully towards fulfilling the aim of the conversation. 1. Open-ended questions are great for bringing another person into the conversation and showing them that you care about what they say. Open-ended questions can't be answered with a one word answer like 'yes' or 'no'. That's good because the answer then gives you something to build upon in your next responses. Are there any drawbacks to using open-ended questions? Unfortunately, yes, open-ended questions have their problems. They work well where everyone in the conversation wants to share control of the conversation, listen to everyone else and there is enough time for the conversation to allow for proper sharing and listening. Where that isn't the case and time is limited, open-ended questions may be a luxury you can't afford. Open-ended questions also imply shared control of a conversation, and that shared control has to be real in order to be meaningful. If you're a boss talking to a worker and wanting them to follow some instructions for you that are not negotiable - don't waste time with open-ended questions. 2. Mirror questions can be used to encourage other people to speak in a conversation. They are non-directive, though, because they leave the respondent space to decide how to respond. Mirror questions are aimed at getting more detail from someone on a topic you've already been talking about. Here is an example of a mirror question: "I'm feeling really tired" can be mirrored back to the person as "Do you feel like you haven't as much energy as usual?" 3. Probing questions are a way of getting more information or clarification on a topic. They aren't interrogations or cross -examinations. They are follow-up questions that request more information from the other person. These are good questions because most people need to be encouraged if they are to talk in greater depth and learn more about each other. Few people divulge more information willingly, perhaps for fear of 'going on' and boring people. Help them to open up by asking a probing question. "You bought that shirt at _________? How do you find their sizing? Do they give small or large fits, do you think?" 4. Leading questions are bad. Don't use them. They can be manipulative, getting people to say what you want them to say. The information you get from them can therefore be false, as the person answering you may just say what they think you want them to say. That's not a great basis for a conversation is it? So, remember to use questions as a really useful tool within your conversations. Good conversation questions really take your conversations to a deeper level and enable you to find out a lot more about the person you're talking to.<br><br> <h3>About The Author</h3> Peter Murphy is a peak performance expert. He recently produced a very popular free report: 10 Simple Steps to Developing Communication Confidence. Apply now because it is available only at: http://www.conversationtalk.com/report.htm<br><br> Keywords: <b>good conversation question</b> <br><br>Article Source : <a href="http://americanahost.com/articles"><b>Articles Directory</b></a></br> Article URL : <a href="http://americanahost.com/articles/personal-development/Advice/how-to-use-a-good-conversation-question-to-fuel-discussion.html" target=_blank>How to Use a Good Conversation Question to Fuel Discussion</a></br> Article Category : <a href="http://americanahost.com/articles/personal-development/Advice/">Advice</a></br> Article Author : <a href="http://americanahost.com/articles/profile/peter1510-210.html">peter1510</a>

---

Article URL : How to Use a Good Conversation Question to Fuel Discussion
Article Category : Advice
Article Author : peter1510