« Outward Focus: Servant Leaders are Transparent and Authentic | Home | Outward Focus: Get the Best out of Others by Building up their Strengths »
Listening Begins with Great Questions
By Steve Sjogren | July 21, 2006
Ironically, listening begins with asking great questions.
Most people you will serve in the realm of listening either aren’t freed up enough to tell you what is weighing on their hearts and minds.
These are what I call, “Wondering Questions.” (Read my book Irresistible Evangelism for more detail on those questions – this book is now being used by many MBA marketing programs around the country for creative ways to click into ways of discovering how to connect with customers).
Here are some ideas you could try:
“I wonder, what is it like to be a single mom having to fend for yourself with 2 teen-aged boys – being both the mom and the dad?”
“I wonder, what is it like starting over in life as a 40-something guy, being recently divorced from your wife… and having to restart life at this point pretty much on your own?…”
“I wonder, what is it like, being a recent college graduate, and entering into the work world?…”
Take it from there.
Begin with an “I wonder” question that you are curious about and take it forward. That will open the door for a lengthy, ever-deepening conversation.
Topics: Servant Leadership, Listening |
