The Impact of Asking the Right Questions in Corporate: Understanding How Inquiry Drives Innovation

by Shabbir Ehram | Corporate Trainer, Writer

Whether you’re working on a team project, presenting to clients, or negotiating with stakeholders, the ability to convey your ideas clearly and concisely is essential. However, effective communication is not just about speaking clearly and confidently; it’s also about asking the right questions.

Asking the right questions can help you gain a deeper understanding of a situation, identify problems, and generate innovative solutions. In this post, we’ll explore the power of questions and how to ask the right questions for effective communication.

Why Asking Questions is Important?

Asking questions is important for several reasons. First, questions help us gain a deeper understanding of a situation. When we ask questions, we’re able to uncover more information than we would if we simply assumed we knew everything. This is particularly important in a professional setting, where making assumptions can lead to misunderstandings and mistakes.

Second, asking questions helps us identify problems. By asking probing questions, we can uncover issues that might not be immediately apparent. This can be especially helpful in problem-solving situations, where identifying the root cause of a problem is essential.

Finally, asking questions can help us generate innovative solutions. By asking questions that challenge our assumptions and force us to think outside the box, we can come up with creative solutions to problems.

How to Ask the Right Questions?

Asking the right questions is a skill that can be learned and developed over time. Here are some tips for asking the right questions:

1. Start with an open-ended question. Open-ended questions are questions that cannot be answered with a simple yes or no. They encourage the person you’re speaking with to provide more information and can help you gain a deeper understanding of their perspective.

2. Be specific. When asking questions, it’s important to be as specific as possible. Avoid vague or general questions that can be interpreted in different ways. Instead, ask targeted questions that focus on a particular aspect of the situation.

3. Avoid leading questions. Leading questions are questions that suggest a particular answer. They can be perceived as manipulative and can undermine trust in a professional setting. Instead, ask neutral questions that allow the other person to provide their own perspective.

4. Use follow-up questions. Follow-up questions can help you clarify information and gain a deeper understanding of the situation. They also show the other person that you’re actively listening and engaged in the conversation.

5. Be mindful of your tone. The tone in which you ask questions can have a significant impact on how they’re received. Avoid a confrontational or accusatory tone and instead adopt a curious and non-judgmental tone.

How Google Used Questions to Improve Employee Engagement

Google is known for its innovative and employee-friendly culture. However, in the early 2000s, the company noticed a decline in employee engagement and satisfaction. To address this issue, the company turned to data and began conducting regular surveys to gauge employee satisfaction and identify areas for improvement.

One of the key components of these surveys was the use of open-ended questions. Instead of simply asking employees to rate their satisfaction on a scale of 1 to 5, Google asked questions such as “What could your manager do to help you be more productive?” and “What would make you feel more motivated at work?” These questions allowed employees to provide more detailed and nuanced feedback, which in turn allowed Google to identify specific areas for improvement.

For example, in one survey, Google discovered that employees felt disconnected from the company’s mission and purpose. They didn’t feel like their work was making a meaningful impact on the world. Armed with this information, Google was able to launch initiatives that better communicated the company’s mission and provided employees with opportunities to work on projects that aligned with their values and interests.

Another survey revealed that employees wanted more opportunities for career growth and development. Google responded by implementing a number of initiatives, including mentorship programs, career development workshops, and leadership training.

By asking the right questions and using the data to drive change, Google was able to improve employee engagement and satisfaction. In fact, according to a 2018 survey by Fortune, Google was ranked as the #1 Best Company to Work For, in large part due to its commitment to employee satisfaction and engagement.

Conclusion

Google’s experience illustrates the power of asking the right questions in a corporate setting. By using open-ended questions and analyzing the data, the company was able to identify specific areas for improvement and launch initiatives that improved employee engagement and satisfaction. This case study highlights the importance of asking targeted and specific questions to gain a deeper understanding of a situation and identify opportunities for growth and improvement.

Asking questions is an essential part of effective communication in professional settings like meetings and forums. However, certain mistakes can undermine the effectiveness of your questions and hinder your ability to communicate effectively. Here are some common mistakes people make while asking questions in a meeting or professional forum:

1. Asking vague or unclear questions: Questions that are unclear or vague can lead to confusion and ineffective communication. It’s important to ask specific, clear, and concise questions to get the information you need.

2. Asking leading questions: Leading questions are those that suggest a particular answer or bias. These types of questions can be manipulative and can hinder the ability to gather accurate and unbiased information. It’s important to ask open-ended questions that encourage discussion and allow people to express their opinions freely.

3. Interrupting the speaker: Interrupting the speaker before they have finished speaking can be disrespectful and can hinder effective communication. It’s important to listen carefully to the speaker and wait for them to finish before asking your question.

4. Failing to listen to the response: Asking a question is only one part of effective communication. It’s equally important to listen carefully to the response and show that you are engaged and interested in what the person is saying.

5. Not being prepared: Failing to prepare adequately for a meeting or forum can result in asking irrelevant or unnecessary questions. It’s important to research the topic beforehand and prepare your questions in advance.

6. Asking too many questions: Asking too many questions in a single meeting or forum can be overwhelming and can hinder effective communication. It’s important to prioritize your questions and ask only those that are relevant and necessary.

7. Being too aggressive: Asking questions in an aggressive or confrontational manner can lead to defensiveness and can hinder effective communication. It’s important to approach the conversation with a respectful and open-minded attitude.

8. Not following up: Failing to follow up on the response can lead to missed opportunities and ineffective communication. It’s important to ask follow-up questions to clarify and avoid assumptions.

Here are some dos and don’ts to keep in mind when asking questions for effective communication:

Dos:

1. Be clear and concise: Make sure your questions are easy to understand and ask only one question at a time.

2. Be open-ended: Use open-ended questions to encourage detailed responses and promote discussion.

3. Be curious: Approach every conversation with a sense of curiosity and a desire to learn more.

4. Listen actively: Listen to the response and show that you are engaged and interested in what the person is saying.

5. Clarify: If you don’t understand the response, ask follow-up questions to clarify and avoid assumptions.

6. Be respectful: Show respect for the person you are communicating with and their opinions, even if you don’t agree.

Don’ts:

1. Ask leading questions: Avoid asking questions that suggest a particular answer or bias.

2. Interrupt: Allow the person to finish their response before asking your next question.

3. Be judgmental: Avoid making judgments or assumptions about the person or their response.

4. Use jargon: Avoid using technical terms or jargon that the person may not understand.

5. Make it personal: Avoid asking questions that are too personal or invasive.

6. Be too focused on the outcome: Avoid asking questions solely to achieve a particular outcome or result, and focus on the process of communication itself.

By following these dos and don’ts, you can ensure that your questions are effective in promoting communication and understanding.

Practical Examples:

Scenario1: A team is discussing ways to improve customer satisfaction in their business:

Good Questions:

1. What factors do our customers typically value most?

2. Can you provide examples of when a customer had an exceptional experience with our company?

3. How can we personalize our customer interactions to better meet their needs?

4. What types of customer feedback do we typically receive, and how can we use it to improve?

5. What steps can we take to proactively address customer concerns before they become major issues?

6. Can you share any successful strategies other businesses have used to improve customer satisfaction?

7. How can we measure the effectiveness of our customer service efforts?

8. What resources do we need to implement changes to improve customer satisfaction?

9. How can we involve our employees in our efforts to improve customer satisfaction?

10. Can we create a survey to gather more specific feedback from our customers?

Bad Questions:

1. Why are our customers so unhappy?

2. Can’t we just offer discounts to improve customer satisfaction?

3. Why do we even need to worry about customer satisfaction?

4. Who is responsible for the current state of customer satisfaction in our business?

5. Can’t we just hire more people to handle customer complaints?

6. What’s the point of this meeting? We already know our customers aren’t happy.

7. Can’t we just assume that our customers are satisfied unless they tell us otherwise?

8. Why don’t we just ignore the complaints and focus on other areas of the business?

9. Can’t we just blame our suppliers for any customer dissatisfaction?

10. Why should we spend money on improving customer satisfaction when it’s not a major problem for our business?

Scenario 2: A software development team is discussing how to improve their code review process.

Good Questions:

1. What are the current pain points in our code review process?

2. Can you explain the desired outcome of the code review process?

3. How can we make the code review process more efficient without sacrificing quality?

4. What criteria should we use to determine whether code changes are ready for review?

5. How can we ensure that code reviews are performed in a timely manner?

6. Can we identify common mistakes or issues that arise during the code review process, and how can we prevent them?

7. What tools or resources can we use to streamline the code review process?

8. How can we encourage more collaboration between developers during the code review process?

9. How can we ensure that the code review process aligns with industry best practices?

10. How can we measure the effectiveness of the code review process?

Bad Questions:

1. Why are our code reviews taking so long?

2. Can’t we just skip the code review process to save time?

3. Why do we even need to review our code if it’s working?

4. Who is responsible for the delays in our code review process?

5. Can’t we just have one person review all the code changes to speed things up?

6. What’s the point of this meeting? We already know the code review process isn’t working.

7. Can’t we just assume that our code is good enough without a review?

8. Why don’t we just implement changes without a code review and see what happens?

9. Can’t we just copy the code review process used by another company?

10. Why should we spend time and resources on improving the code review process when it’s not a priority for our business?

Asking inappropriate, offensive, or irrelevant questions in a meeting can potentially damage your professional reputation and negatively impact how others perceive you. Here are some examples of the types of questions that could potentially drop down your personality in a meeting:

1. Questions that are disrespectful or discriminatory towards individuals based on their gender, race, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation.

2. Questions that are overly personal or invasive, such as asking someone about their salary or medical history.

3. Questions that are irrelevant or unrelated to the meeting agenda or purpose.

4. Questions that are excessively critical or negative towards others’ ideas or contributions.

5. Questions that are overly defensive or aggressive in response to constructive feedback or criticism.

6. Questions that reveal a lack of preparation or understanding of the topic being discussed.

7. Questions that interrupt or talk over others, making it difficult for them to express their ideas.

8. Questions that are overly simplistic or show a lack of critical thinking or analysis.

9. Questions that reveal a lack of respect for others’ time or priorities.

10. Questions that are intended to show off or impress others rather than contribute meaningfully to the discussion.

In general, it’s important to approach meetings with a professional and respectful attitude, and to ask questions that are relevant, thoughtful, and demonstrate your engagement and interest in the topic at hand.

How to deal with wrong questions while delivering presentations?

Dealing with wrong questions or irrelevant questions when addressing professionals can be a challenge, but there are some strategies you can use to handle the situation professionally and effectively. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Clarify the context of your presentation. Sometimes, people may ask questions that are not relevant to your presentation because they do not understand the context or purpose of your presentation. You can address this by providing a brief overview of the key points you plan to cover at the beginning of your presentation.

2. Establish ground rules for questions. If you are concerned about receiving off-topic questions, you can set some ground rules at the beginning of your presentation. For example, you could ask people to hold their questions until the end of your presentation, or to only ask questions that are directly related to the topic you are discussing.

3. Redirect the conversation. If someone asks a question that is off-topic or irrelevant, you can try to redirect the conversation back to your presentation by politely acknowledging their question and then refocusing the discussion on your key points.

4. Be prepared to handle challenging questions. Even if you have established ground rules and are clear about the context of your presentation, you may still receive challenging or critical questions. It’s important to be prepared to handle these questions calmly and professionally. Take a moment to compose yourself, and then respond to the question with a clear and concise answer that addresses the core of their question.

5. Stay focused on your goals. Remember that your presentation is an opportunity to share your knowledge and expertise with others. Even if you receive off-topic questions or challenging questions, stay focused on your goals and your key messages, and continue to deliver your presentation with confidence and professionalism.

Dealing with Bad Questions:

If someone is trying to ask meaningless questions or trying to degrade you in front of others during a meeting, it can be a challenging situation to navigate. Here are a few strategies for responding in a professional and assertive manner:

1. Remain calm and composed. It’s important not to become defensive or agitated, as this can make the situation worse. Take a deep breath and try to stay centered.

2. Clarify the intent behind the question. If the person is genuinely seeking information or clarification, try to provide a brief and concise answer. If the question seems irrelevant or inappropriate, you can politely ask for clarification or context to help you understand the purpose behind the question.

3. Reframe the question. If the question seems to be intentionally degrading or disrespectful, you can try to reframe it in a more constructive and positive way. For example, you could say something like, “I appreciate your interest in this topic. Can you help me understand how your question relates to our current discussion?”

4. Set boundaries. If the person continues to ask meaningless or inappropriate questions, it may be necessary to set clear boundaries. You can politely but firmly state that you prefer to focus on productive and relevant discussion, and that you will not engage with questions that are disrespectful or irrelevant.

5. Follow up privately. If the situation becomes tense or uncomfortable, it may be helpful to follow up with the person privately after the meeting to discuss your concerns and attempt to find a resolution.

Remember, in a professional setting, it’s important to maintain your composure and focus on constructive communication, even in the face of challenging situations. By responding calmly and assertively, you can help redirect the conversation back to a productive and meaningful discussion.

How To Rephrase Bad Questions in A Better Way?

Bad question: “Why do we have to have this meeting?”

1. Rephrased question: “Could you provide more information on the purpose and goals of this meeting?”

Bad question: “What’s the point of this project?”

2. Rephrased question: “What are the main objectives and expected outcomes of this project?”

Bad question: “Why did we fail in the last quarter?”

3. Rephrased question: “What were the main challenges and factors that contributed to our performance last quarter, and how can we address them moving forward?”

Bad question: “Why haven’t we implemented this idea yet?”

4. Rephrased question: “What are the steps required to implement this idea, and what resources or support do we need to make it happen?”

Bad question: “Why did we hire this person?”

5. Rephrased question: “What qualities or skills does this person bring to the team, and how do they fit into our overall goals and objectives?”

By rephrasing questions in a more constructive and respectful manner, we can promote more effective communication and collaboration in meetings and professional settings.

By following the tips and best practices discussed in this blog, you can enhance your communication skills, build stronger relationships, and achieve your personal and professional goals. If you have any questions, feedback, or suggestions, please feel free to reach out to me at shabbir.ehram@gmail.com. You can also follow me for more insights, tips, and articles on effective communication.