Asking a question cleverly will increase the likelihood of your getting a good understanding of the issues quickly. However, there are certain things you should avoid:
- Bombardment / Grilling– Too many questions will put your client on the defensive or they may allow you to control the conversation which may limit what you ultimately find out. “Why” questions, if improperly asked, often cause individuals to become defensive.
- Multiple Questions – If your question contains several questions, you may confuse the client.
- Questions as Statements – Avoid leading your client to accept your point of view by turning a statement into a question. Example: Don’t you think you should tell the children to go away?
- Questions and Cultural Differences – Rapid fire questioning is not received favorably and can create distrust in individuals from non-western cultures.
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