Summary

The content emphasises the importance of asking open-ended questions to truly understand and engage with others at work, avoiding assumptions based on first impressions. Good questioning can enhance charisma and is a skill worth practicing daily.

What you know about others, or what you think you know about others, especially at work, is often based on assumptions.

We can’t help and make a picture in our mind of people we meet. And we naturally tend to believe that we’re right about what we imagine.

Have you ever realised later how off-base your first impression was?

But there is a good way of avoiding this situation and actually getting to know people better. If you care. A way to learn more about who they are, what drives them, what they’re good at.

Ask questions.

Sounds too obvious to be written as a post. But .. how often do you meet people and have a conversation where you’re being asked questions. Good ones for that sake.

And if so, can you remember how it makes you feel?

Asking questions is a skill that we should practice more. Every day. In every conversation.

A good question gives you the chance to learn something. You will come across as more charismatic. Good questions are open ones. Avoid any question that can be answered with yes or no. Typically start with how, when, what.

Now that you read this, I hope that you may think of it during your next conversation. And let me know how it went.

Connect with me on LinkedIn.