Asking Questions
An important skill for meeting leaders is that of questioning in order to draw out ideas and information and to involve participants in a meeting. Leaders must probe to get at ideas, support participants when they make contributions, and listen attentively as people talk.
PROBING involves asking speakers:
to clarify ideas or to state examples of what seems vague;
to explain how the speaker arrived at the position taken;
to supply causes or purposes for specific suggestions;
to supply possible consequences of suggested actions;
to suggest ways to implement proposed solutions.
The most common probe is “Why.” Avoid using this on personal matters, of course, since the answer might be embarrassing. Try not to threaten anyone when asking ...
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