Asking Questions

Learning about asking questions can be easy. The content on this page will help you learn ways to think about and ask better questions. 

Why Do You Need to Learn About Asking Questions?

The first book I read that made me think differently about questions was “Awaken The Giant Within” by Anthony Robbins (Affiliate Link). The quote in this book that stood out was, “The quality of your life is a direct reflection of the questions you are asking yourself.”

So you see, asking questions is as much an internal exercise and discipline as it is external. If you’re like me, you’ve always been a curious sort, and questioning others comes easy.

Why Does Our Society Honor Having the Answer More Than Questions?

Think about it. In every aspect of your life, the people who succeed know the answers. Or do they?

Data shows that after kids get to about 8 or 9 years old, they start asking fewer questions. Researchers believe this is linked to the point in school where having the answer is rewarded more than questions.

As adults, what do we fear? Looking dumb by not knowing the answer to a question. Or what’s coming next.

What if We Learned About Asking Questions Instead of Answering?

Know do you’ve heard at some point that it is rude to answer a question with another question. In other words, “just answer the question.”  

Does that bug you as much as it does me when someone says that to you? What if I don’t understand the question? Or how about if the question you asked makes no sense to me. Is it better that I just blurt out an answer?

How Might We Start Asking Better Questions?

There are two excellent books on asking better questions that Warren Berger wrote called “The Book of Beautiful Questions” and “A More Beautiful Question.” (Affiliate Link)

Both these books are a terrific place to start your quest for learning about asking questions. An important part of getting to be a better asker of questions is humility. 

For me, if I look back on times I was reluctant to ask a question, it funnels back to pride. What I mean is, I was too proud to risk looking foolish by asking a question about something I didn’t understand.

In Conclusion

The best people I know in the world of marketing and selling are all excellent at formulating questions. You can do this by practicing the three questions you’ll learn in Warren Berger’s books:

1. Why?
2. What if?
3. How might we?

I’m going to write about asking questions on this page. So if you’re into that, stop back often. And leave a comment below about your favorite stories of how asking questions helped you in life and business.

If you’d like a free pdf that I put together about how to make your customers and prospects feel special, fill out the form below. Or, if you’d like to schedule a time to discuss something you’re working on, email me at Joel@makemarketingeasy.com.

Good luck and good marketing and selling!