This includes having the right information at your fingertips. As a manager, one of the best ways to gather information is by asking questions. But if you don’t ask the right question, you won’t get the information you seek.
Once you are clear on what you want to know, you can frame the appropriate type of question.
- Facts: Do you want facts? Then ask specific questions to yield specific answers.
- Reaction: Do you want to learn about a team member’s reaction? Then ask the kind of question that evokes an emotional response.
- Values/Meaning: Do you want to find out about values or meaning? Then ask a question that clarifies implications of one’s actions.
- Next Steps: Do you want to follow next steps? Then inquire about resolution or closure.
Often you will need follow-up questions to get at the information you want in order to manage well. But in each case, the questions should be framed with a purpose in mind.
