How do you learn anything? By asking questions.
But how do you learn faster? How do you elevate a conversation? How do you build stronger relationships? By asking the right questions.
A number of things need to be true in order for you to ask the right questions:
- You need to be paying attention
- The other person needs to be saying something meaningful (to you, them, or both)
- You are actively listening, processing what the other person is saying. Instead of waiting your turn so you can say your thing.
A number of things happen when you ask the right questions:
- You build the trust they have in you
- The discussion goes beyond surface level
- You get better at asking The Right Questions (after all, the way to get good at running fast, is to run fast)
So how do you start asking the right questions? Start with listening. Start with thinking "Why does this person feel they need to say this? They could say anything right now. This is thier #1 topic right now. What is their concern? Their worldview?"
Lookit that. You're already asking the right questions to yourself.