So often, we think that great listening means we ask lots of questions. Sometimes that’s true. But if our questions are random or unconnected to the person we are listening to, they can feel dishonoring. Also, if our questions are long, it’s possible we are revealing a bias to “steer” the person we are listening to. Open ended questions have a lot of power. When they are based in pure curiosity, and are uniformed by an agenda, they can make it feel safe for others to pause, think more deeply, and refine what they have to say. In the end, deep listening isn’t always about making sense for ourselves. It’s a gift we give to others to help them make sense of their own thinking.

Today’s episode features a story about how ONE, simple, open-ended question completely changed how I taught in the classroom.

Chris Briggs-Hale

Certified Professional Coach

https://waterfalllearning.com/

Chris Briggs-Hale is the CEO of Waterfall Learning, LLC, and a Certified Professional Coach. He served public schools for 30 years, 15 of which were as a principal. Chris served as a Senior Consultant for McRel and Marzano and Associates, a site visitor for the National Schools of Character Award (Character.org), and was a Board Member with Eunice Kennedy Shriver for the Community of Caring in Washington, DC. Chris has consulted for schools extensively across the United States. He is the recipient of the 2013 Red Cross Community Hero Award, the 2004 Sally K. Lenhardt Professional Leadership Award from Lesley University, the 2004 Community of Caring National Administrator of the Year, and the 2013 Community Service Hero, American Red Cross, Colorado Springs.