Ask the Right Questions
The Q&A session following
a presentation can be enlightening, boring, or uncomfortably confrontational,
depending on how it is handled. While the onus is usually on the presenter
to manage the situation, the person asking the questions shares the responsibility
for assuring that the Q&A exchange is positive and productive.
Pertinent questions play an important role in clarifying the material
presented, eliciting additional information, and challenging incorrect
information or assumptions. The trick is to do this without directly attacking
the speaker or putting the speaker on the spot.
Consider these strategies that can help you question a speaker without
sounding too aggressive or abrupt:
- Connect directly
with what the speaker said, e.g., "You suggested moving the analytical
group to the Oregon site. Could you explain how that will impact the
overall process?"
- Soften the impact
of a challenging question. Notice how the phrasing, particularly the
use of "I" statements, is assertive without being aggressive.
I have a question about...
Regarding the issue of..., what ...?
To go back to your earlier point, how...?
I'd like to hear more about...
Specifically, what...?
I'd be interested to know how...
I see that...
Was there a particular reason for...?
- Keep a positive
tone. Consider the difference in tone between these two questions:
"Why haven't you mentioned anything about the impact on long term output?"
"Could you expand on the impact of your proposal on long term output?"
By putting a more positive spin on the same challenge, you are likely to get a frank - and less defensive - response
- Begin your question
with an introductory clause that adds context or conveys thoughtful
consideration:
"If we look down the road, how would you expect these changes to play out over the next 18-24 months?"
"Since the revenue stream from that product is decreasing, what can we do to...?"
- Here are some other
possible introductory clauses. Notice how each question asks for specific
information.
Given/ Considering the current situation, when...?
If we decide to move ahead with this, who...?
Since we're short on resources, how much...?
Even if your initial reaction to the speaker is, "No way!" or "That's
completely off base!", discussion will be more productive if you reframe
those challenges into questions that attack the issue and not the speaker's
credibility.
LinguaTec
111 West Evelyn Avenue
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
phone: 408.746.3901
email: staff@linguatec.com
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