Are You Comfortable With Silence When Asking Questions?

What this episode covers

When asking better questions, how comfortable are you with silence as a response? Not all questions require a yes or no answer and a team’s strength is built with open-ended questions that require more thought. Is your discomfort with silence causing unconsidered answers and thus unsatisfactory solutions?  KEY TAKEAWAYS Fundamentally, becoming more comfortable with silence can help you with coaching your team.  Common responses to silence are; rephrasing a question to elicit a more immediate response, answering the question themselves or providing prompts or suggestions. Anything to break the silence.   Ask questions that require more thought such as “How can you visualise the performance of your team?”  Create the space and time for the answer to occur.  BEST MOMENTS ‘You might be somebody that when you get in a lift and you're travelling with people you don’t know, do you break that silence with an uncomfortable giggle?’  ’I encourage you to think of an open question. Think of a question that requires some thinking.’ ‘Your ability to be comfortable with silence I think is an important factor in your ability to coach and lead your people.’   VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast          ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 [email protected]  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

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