Getting beyond “yes”, “no”, and other one-word answers.

Written By Robin LeBlanc

Strategy Corner

Getting beyond “yes”, “no”, and other one-word answers.

We often find ourselves in situations when we are trying to understand how the other person - or even a group - is thinking. All we get are one-word comments, which really don't clarify things. Or we may ask "Why did you....?" and the answers are defensive - and again, not clarifying.

Next time, instead of asking "how" or "why" questions, turn those same questions into a format that does get you the information you are looking for. For example:

  • What is it about this situation that is bothering you?

  • Tell me about your thought process that led you to this decision.

  • What IS working here?

And once they start talking, have them continue by simply saying: "Tell me more," or "And what's next?"

Of course, key to this is yourself being open to really listening in a way that is non-judgmental. Their Point of View is not the same as yours, and when you can start to understand theirs, common ground may be easier to come to.

Robin LeBlanc

Robin has years of experience in teaching, marketing, business development, organizational leadership and facilitation. She has worked in municipalities, in universities, in corporations and in non-profits. Most recently, she was Executive Director of Plan NH, which focuses on the impact of the built environment on the fabrics of a community.

Robin is particularly interested in:

  • Facilitating conversations, especially exploratory ones, that might lead to positive change in a team or organization.

  • Guiding Strategic and other planning processes for small to medium organizations.

  • Assisting with workshop and/or conference planning and design so that attendees feel more connected to the topic or theme, to each other, and to the hosting organization.

Robin can be reached at robin@rhlstrategies.com.

https://www.rhlstrategies.com
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