How to ask Open Questions

I have found that one of the main problems that people have is how to ask good questions. Most people know that open questions are better than closed questions to get at the route of a problem. Yet it is still so easy to fall into the closed question trap.

Well what is the difference?

Open questions draw the client out as they offer the opportunity to look at the braoder picture. they are designed to encourage creative thought and allow the client to explore their ideas. Open questions ask for a more descriptive answer. they are non-judgemental. For example, "What are your plans to address this issue?" Your client/employee, feels unthreatened and can voice their ideas in confidence. Open questions cannot be answered with a simple Yes or No.

The opposite closed questions limit the person answering. They generally elicit simple one word answers or a yes/no response. They bring an end to the line of questioning and you have to start again.

Words like Who, What, How, When and Where are often used to start open questions. Openings such as , 'tell me' or 'describe to me' are also effective. Opening questionings like do, have, has, is and are lll tend to impose limits on the conversation.

Empty Nest Syndrome

My youngest daughter left home at the weekend. I never thought it would happen. When she first told me she was leaving I never thought it would happen. But believe me it has.

I have cried for the past two weeks, off and on, not in her presence, but usually in the evening when I am on my own. Today I cleaned her old bedroom as a sort of drawing a line under the sand kind of way. I am trying to be positive and looking at all the positive outcomes of this new life I have.

Cheaper food bill, electricity etc. get to keep make up, shampoo, pants to myself, a quiet house, no more cigarette smoke.

But I am fooling myself, I will miss our girlie chats, having a giggle sharing a bottle of wine, being naughty and jointly demolishing a bar of chocolate, saying to each other no, you don't look fat in that!

I am looking forward to going around to her house and having her cook me a meal, I wonder if I can escape the dishes.........................