How to Ask the Right Questions - Good Communication Skills

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How to Ask the Right Questions

Good communication is not just about the proper presentation of ideas. Good communication also means developing the ability to ask the right questions.

How can you know what are the right questions? Simple. Learn the following method.

Essentially there are two sets of questions that you should think about.

• Set one: A set of questions that relate to people, things and ideas. (ie the subjects and objects of sentences).
• Set two: A set of questions that relate to verbs, (verbs are words denoting actions, or states).

Set one questions are Adjective questions. Set two questions are Adverb questions.

Have a look at the simple sentence in this diagram. The men ate the cakes

The set one questions are:

• Which ones?
• What kind?
• Whose?
• How many?

These questions apply to subjects and objects of sentences.

On the other hand, set two questions relate to the verbs of sentences. The set two questions (Adverb questions are):

• Where?
• How?
• When?
• Why?
• For what purpose?
• For what causes?

Learn these two lists of questions. Whenever you listen or read something, find the "doer" of the sentence and apply the set one questions.

Then find the verb, or action, of the sentence and apply the set two questions.

Look at this easy example: The bird is singing in the tree.

• Which bird?
• What kind of bird?
• How many birds?
• Whose bird?

The bird is singing in the tree.

• Where is it singing?
• How is it singing?
• When is it singing
• Why is it singing?
• For what purpose is it singing?
• What caused it to sing?

The bird is singing in the tree.

• Which tree?

• What kind of tree?
• How many trees?
• Whose tree?

This simple system of asking questions is easy. Learn it, apply it and you will get great results.

16 Ways You Can Use Questions (blog)

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About the Author: Chris Farmer

Chris Farmer is the founder of the Corporate Coach Group and has many years’ experience in training leaders and managers, in both the public and private sectors, to achieve their organisational goals, especially during tough economic times. He is also well aware of the disciplines and problems associated with running a business.

Over the years, Chris has designed and delivered thousands of training programmes and has coached and motivated many management teams, groups and individuals. His training programmes are both structured and clear, designed to help delegates organise their thinking and, wherever necessary, to improve their techniques and skills.

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Further Reading in Communication - Clear Communication

• What are good communication skills?
  In most areas of your life, the ability to communicate effectively is key to your success. Here are three tips to consider and put into practice today. Try our communication skills quiz to see where your strengths lie.
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• Six Essential Business Communication Skills
  In order to do business you need to be able to communicate with potential clients. In this blog we examine the six essential communication skills you need in business. How many do you possess?
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• How to improve the way I speak
  How to improve the way I speak It is important to be able to speak and to write clearly. One of the biggest mistakes you can make, at work, is to use ambiguous language. It is especially naughty to give ambiguous instructions. An ambiguous instruction is any instruction that is so...
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• Why is Communication Skills Training Important?
  Good communication is a key skill needed by people in every organisation to build good staff rapport and avoid misunderstandings. By attending communication skills training you become aware of what areas you could develop.
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• Ten Top Tips For Sending Professional Calendar Meeting Invites
  To ensure your meetings are well attended and productive, you need to ensure that your meeting invitations are professional. These tips will help you to clearly communicate the purpose of the meeting and help attendees prepare.
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