Business Communication Skill - Asking Yes/No Questions
Feb 11, 2023
Most sports fans watching a game focus on the game action. Makes sense right? Here's what else I tend to notice, the type of communication that takes place during a game.
It's often very direct and concise because there's not a lot of time to discuss options during the middle of a game. That brings us to a communication skill that will make you a more effective communicator at work - asking Yes/No questions.
I know somewhere along the way you've been told not to do that. I also know it's potentially bad advice. There's tremendous value in giving someone an easy answer and limiting their options. You see it all the time in football.
I'm not suggesting that every question be in this form, but if you really want a response to an email including "Let me know if you have any questions" isn't as direct as saying "Does this timeline work for you?"
One approach gets you closer to your end result than the other. It might take an extra minute to think through what you really want to ask or the answer you actually need. The time spent thinking through your objective can save you in the long run.
