The ultimate 5 questions to ask at work by Vicky Zhao

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Created date

May 21, 2024 02:50 AM

What: Understand what you're trying to achieve

The 5 key things to look for are


Goal: What are we trying to achieve?
Problem: What's the obstacle we need to overcome?
Solution: How are we going to solve the problem?
Alternatives: What other options are there?
Trade-offs: What are the pros and cons of each solution?

Knowing what information you need will help you ask more targeted and effective questions.

Why: Get what you want vs what you need

The key is being intentional about the information you need, rather than just asking whatever comes to mind. With practice, you can develop a framework for asking high-impact questions that move the discussion forward.

How: Skills need to hone……

1. Frame your questions effectively

There are different ways to phrase questions to get better responses, such as "What is the goal we're trying to achieve?" vs "What's the goal?". Experiment with different framings.

Ask questions in the right order

Start by clarifying the goal and problem, then move to the proposed solution, alternatives, and trade-offs. This logical progression can help uncover important details.

Be willing to dig deeper

Don't be afraid to ask follow-up questions to really understand the nuances.

Phrases like "Can you tell me more about..." or "What are some examples of that?" can help get more details.

Adapt based on the situation

The order and phrasing of your questions may need to change depending on the context.

As a team member vs a team leader, you may need to focus your questions differently.

Focus on clarity

Identify areas lacking clarity and ask questions to fill the gaps.