Your Questions to Statements Ratio
A couple months ago I made post about Jim Collins' 10 To-dos for Young People. If you have not seen the video, I would encourage you to take a look at that post and watch it. One of his tips was to determine your questions to statements ratio and attempt to double it.
A few years ago when I first watched the video, I thought that I was solid on this one. I reasoned, "I think before I speak. I generally do not dominate the conversation. I pick my spots and try to make an impact without saying much."
Then it dawned on me. These facts had no bearing on my questions to statements ratio. I realized that I was not making many questions or statements. In fact, I had a fairly bad questions to statements ratio. In a typical meeting I might only speak four times, and only one of those times would I ask a question.
I would like to encourage you the next time you go into a meeting to track your questions to statements ratio. Once you have a number, try some of these strategies to ask more questions.
Come prepared with a list of questions.
Take notes and refer back to them throughout the discussion.
Ask clarifying questions after someone makes a complex point.
Start your contribution to the discussion by asking a question or series of questions that backs up your point.
When the majority of the group is confused about something, ask the necessary question that everyone needs the answer to but is too timid to ask the question.
Why does this matter?
First, questions help us to better understand the topic we are discussing which can prevent us from making stupid or unnecessary comments. If you rush in and make an uninformed comment, it will be difficult to win back credibility and your voice might be ignored. Either wait until you understand the necessary information, or, better yet, ask the question that will provide you with the necessary information.
Second, asking intelligent questions can help us to build credibility within a conversation. People respect those who ask questions that improve and deepen the discussion. Often times if you ask a good question, people will be quicker to ask for your input later in the meeting.
Intelligent questions provide a great way to respectfully participate in a discussion. Questions promote collaboration and the formation of relationships. When you ask an intelligent question, it indicates to the speaker that you respect his voice enough to consider his comments and interact with them. You also show that you are interested in the intricacies of his point.
Prepare thoroughly, be attentive, and ask intelligent questions to get the most out of your meetings.
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