We all have an average of 27 conversations a day, but how many of them are really good ones? Our guest today knows how to improve every question you ask so that you can get more out of the conversations you have. Joe Ferraro is not only a high school teacher, he’s also the host of the One Percent Better podcast and the founder of Damn Good Conversations.  He has joined Thom Singer on this episode of the Digital Enterprise Society podcast for a damn good conversation about simple ways that you can increase your curiosity and make better connections. From identifying the right kinds of questions to ask to training yourself to be more bold in your conversations, this episode is for anyone that is looking for effective ways to get more out of the conversations we all have to have in the workplace. 

 

On today’s podcast, you will learn:

What makes a good question? 

• If it can’t be clever, it has to be clear. 
• Good questions don’t leave anyone confused. 
• The goal isn’t to be understood, it’s to ensure you cannot be misunderstood. 
• Lean into novelty and curiosity- what questions haven’t been asked before? 

 

3 simple steps to asking better questions

• Conduct a quick self assessment to determine how often you ask questions in your personal or work life- are you afraid to ask questions? 
• Identify the beginning of the questions you ask. Replace ‘do’ or ‘are’ with ‘what’, ‘why’ and ‘how’ to invite better responses. 
• Define what you are hoping to achieve by asking any question. 

 

How to train yourself to ask more questions 

• Utilize your two ears and one mouth to be an active listener and learner. 
• Be curious, not judgemental. 
• Take note of those around you that ask good questions and make note of the questions they ask. 
• Pause whenever possible to process the questions you hear. 

 

Techniques that create better questions 

• High velocity questions maintain novelty and get specific about details. 
• Ask questions like a poker player- ask yourself what exactly you want to gain from others. 
• Lead with curiosity and identify the best way to get what you want. 

 

Developing the curiosity that leads to greatness

• Curiosity in the workplace can start wherever you are- in incremental steps. 
• Identify one place that you feel curious about and focus your effort there. 
• The relationship between curiosity and questions can work both ways. 
• If you want to walk two inches taller, ask better questions. 

 

Continue the conversation with us within the Digital Enterprise Society Community at www.DigitalEnterpriseSociety.org.

 

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