Open Ended Questions

Earlier today I participated in a training session that involved the practice of closed and open ended questions.

Of course, as you know, closed ended questions can be answered simply, “yes”, or “no”.

An open ended question is designed to find out more information.

Not always, but often an opened ended question will be begin with the word “why”.

Why is a discovery word.

For example, here are samples of open ended questions.

“Why are you anxious?’

“Why are you terrified?”

“Why did you doubt?”

“What do you want me to do for you?”

Four questions that can not be answered by “yes’ or “no”.

They require a more detailed response.

“Yes, I am anxious, here’s why.”

“I am terrified because I…”

“I doubted because I…”

“I want you to…”

Practice open ended questions with a friend.

Once you begin to develop a comfort level with these, begin working them into your conversations.

Remember, it’s all about the discovery.

I am amazed at times what people will tell me.

Why do they tell me these things?

Because of the word “why”.

It is my favorite question word.

“When” is necessary to know I will grant you that.

Even the “who” is certainly important.

“Who” did “what” “when”?

Helpful but not crucial.

But when you add the why?

Now we are getting a little deeper in the weeds, as they say.

Now we are discovering the motivation of the action.

The purpose.

The reason.

Starting working why questions into your conversations and see how much you can discover from others.

By the way, those four “why” questions used earlier as an example?

Those were questions from the master of the open ended question.

Jesus.

JHH