According to communication expert Matt Abrahams, making one key change in how you talk can put you in a position of power and help you garner influence. This simple act is asking questions. Contrary to popular belief that asking questions can make you look weak or insecure, it can actually help you raise your status and lower the other person’s status.
Asking good questions demonstrates empathy, a willingness to learn, and shows that you care about the other person’s thoughts and opinions. This is essential for growing your career and deepening relationships. Effective leaders balance credibility with humility, and asking thoughtful questions can help achieve this balance.
Abrahams emphasizes that not every question will make you more influential. You need to know when, how, and why you’re asking a question to reap the benefits. He also provides a recipe for good questions: they should be concise, build on what the other person has said, and revolve around a focused idea.
Before asking any question, consider your intention or goal. Do you want to show that you’re listening, interested in the subject matter, or help someone understand another perspective? Avoid asking questions solely for participation points in workplace meetings, as this can come across as insincere.
To practice asking good questions, start small and approach casual interactions like interviews where you’re trying to learn more about the other person. You can also analyze your questions by using chatbots like ChatGPT or asking real people for feedback. Most importantly, always listen to others before asking them anything.
When you ask questions thoughtfully, you’re inviting others to collaborate and solve problems together. This fosters relationships in the long term and helps you achieve your goals.
Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/09/18/how-to-ask-right-questions-become-influential-communication-expert.html