When asking better questions, how comfortable are you with silence as a response? Not all questions require a yes or no answer and a team’s strength is built with open-ended questions that require more thought. Is your discomfort with silence causing unconsidered answers and thus unsatisfactory solutions?

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Fundamentally, becoming more comfortable with silence can help you with coaching your team.
• Common responses to silence are; rephrasing a question to elicit a more immediate response, answering the question themselves or providing prompts or suggestions. Anything to break the silence.
• Ask questions that require more thought such as “How can you visualise the performance of your team?”
• Create the space and time for the answer to occur.

BEST MOMENTS

‘You might be somebody that when you get in a lift and you're travelling with people you don’t know, do you break that silence with an uncomfortable giggle?’

’I encourage you to think of an open question. Think of a question that requires some thinking.’

‘Your ability to be comfortable with silence I think is an important factor in your ability to coach and lead your people.’

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Business Problems Solved Podcast

ABOUT THE HOST

For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses.

In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material.

Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

CONTACT METHOD

You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194

Lee@leehoughton.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

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