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Questions, Jeopardy Style
| Guest post by: Howard Miller |
Article Overview: Do you find yourself stuck no matter what questions you ask yourself?
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Free Download - Jumping to Conclusions By Howard Miller |
Questions, Jeopardy Style
One of the managers I coach attended a workshop I conducted where we went over the power of asking questions which lead to solutions.
So of course he knew how to ask questions which lead to solutions!
Then why was he stuck?
Come to think of me, I know how to phrase questions which are more powerful and therefore have the potential to lead to stronger solutions yet sometimes I get stuck as well.
Often when we are in the midst of a difficult task or situation, or doing something the same way for years, it can be difficult to out of being stuck, even if we ask effective questions.
This is because we are so focused on the answer we have always gotten.
Whether we are dealing, for example, with a direct report who just never seems to live up to their potential or we're an entrepreneur attempting to expand our business but continually meet roadblocks; when we focus on the answer we always got it doesn't matter what questions we ask!
So how about playing Jeopardy - start with the answer! (Point of trivia - back in the 1960's, when Jeopardy was hosted by Art Fleming and the highest dollar value was $100 in double jeopardy, my mother was a contestant!)
Instead of asking different questions, start with a different answer. Then come up with questions which will help get to the answer.
For example, if the manager continually has an issue with their direct report who always misses deadlines, they might have come up with questions such as what prevents you from getting the work done on time? or how can I support you so you get the work done on time?
But if this doesn't lead to any change, another possibility is to start with the answer!
Something like prioritize my actions the end of the day.
Then the question might change to What time at the end of your day can you prioritize your next day actions? or what will take for you to prioritize the night before?
While this answer-question combination wouldn't be asked on Jeopardy! it does help you in formulating different questions when you are stuck.
When you start with the answer:
- You think about what outcomes you desire
- You formulate actions to get to the outcomes
- You base your questions on the outcomes or the actions
Question: When can I start formulating more effective question-answer combos!
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Article Tags: absenteeism, acronyms, always, asking questions, behavior, behavior assessment, Change management, coaching, colloquialisms, communications, conflict, conflict resolution, dealing with difficult people, dealing with difficult situations, difficult personalities, DiSC, do as I say not as I do, effective questions, facebook, facts, fair, fairness, focus, gen x, gen y, generational differences, glass half empty, glass half full, how to deal with difficult people, humor, leadership, listening, management, management skills, management skills for new managers, miscommunication, motivation, never, new managers, objective vs subjective, opportunities, optimism, personality, powerful questions, questions, shift, sometimes, time management
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About the Author: Howard Miller RSS for Howard's articles - Visit Howard's website Howard Miller teaches management skills to new managers, seasoned managers, entrepreneurs and executives. He is on the faculty of AMA (American Management Association) and teaches courses including Skills for New Managers, Increasing Managerial Effectiveness, and Successfully Managing People). Topics include delegation and motivation methodologies, conflict, how to deal with difficult people, understanding values and behavior, feedback and listening skills. Clients include mid-range to large companies such as the IRS, Blue Cross Blue Shield, IBM, state government, public school districts, and non profit organizations. Howard also does executive and business coaching with the Ken Blanchard organization. Howard is the author of two book; You're Full of Shift, which contains short stories which demonstrate shifting difficult situations to opportunities and The Manager Trap: 13 ½ Pitfalls to Avoid which showcases common traps and pitfalls managers fall into including using a 4 letter word beginning with F that they should avoid! Click here to visit Howard's website   That person has a difficult personality My Door is Always Open Dirt on the car Motivation with consequences Managing techies |
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