The 7 Powers of Questions
December 15th, 2010 // 8:37 pm @ mikewagner // 7 Comments
Ever since I learned it is OK to write in books (as long as they don’t belong to the public library) I’ve been making margin notes.
Today a friend happened to flip through a few pages in a book I was reading and saw my scribbles. He asked for an interpretation.
There are a lot of things I put in margins when I read but here is the very most important thing I do. Whenever I find a question in the text I place a “Q” next to it. If it is an especially important question or well-stated one I might even write “Q!!!”.
Why? Because I believe the most important “take away” from anything I read are the questions. I can take or leave an author’s answers, but the questions! That’s the real win in reading anything!
I also will place in the margins from time to time a “?” – which is my reminder that I question what the author is saying. I might mildly disagree or I might feel he or she is really “full of it”. But I always note when the text gives rise to a question in my mind.
And this brings me to The 7 Powers of Questions.
This is a book by Dorothy Leeds that I discovered nearly 10 years ago. Dorothy believes in questions and the lost art of question asking. Her book is a great place for anyone to begin growing their question asking skills.
In summary here are the 7 powers of questions that she examines:
1 – Questions demand answers. When someone asks a question we are compelled to answer it.
2 – Questions stimulate thinking. When some asks a question it stimulates thinking in both the person asking and the person being asked.
3 – Questions give us valuable information. Asking the right question can give us the specific and relevant information we need and want.
4 – Questions put you in control. Because questions demand answers, the asker has the power position.
5 – Questions get people to open up. There is nothing more flattering that being asked to tell your personal story or give your opinions, insight and advice. Asking questions shows others you are interested in who they are and what they have to say — and when that happens, even the most reticent individuals are willing to share their thoughts and feelings.
6 – Questions lead to quality listening. As you improve your ability to ask the right question, the answers you get become more pertinent and focused, making it easier for you to concentrate on what’s important to the situation.
7 – Questions get people to persuade themselves. People believe what they say, not what you say. They are more likely to believe something they thought up, and a well-phrased question can their minds headed in a specific direction. The question is the most overlooked tool in the art of persuasion.
Want to learn more? Read Dorothy Leed’s book. Make a New Year’s resolution.
By the way, this is another old-fashion book recommendation. No one sent me a copy of The 7 Powers of Questions. I’m not related to Dorothy. I used my cold, hard cash to acquire my copy. This is just a great place to begin digging into your question asking skills.
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RESOURCES
Learn more about Dorothy Leeds here
Amazon page for The 7 Powers of Questions here
Wikipedia article on “Question” here
Learn how “compassionate listening” connects with asking questions here
Category : Blog &Creativity &Growth
Tweets that mention The 7 Powers of Questions | Michael C Wagner - Professional Speaker -- Topsy.com
1 year ago
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by bigwags, bigwags. bigwags said: New post: The 7 Powers of Questions http://tinyurl.com/2dz37xg [...]
mikewagner
1 year ago
Claire, thanks for the encouraging words! Much appreciated!
I think that one reason we shy away from compassionate listening is that it takes a lot of energy at times.
One leader I worked with once said, “I have lazy ears today.” By that he meant he didn’t have the energy needed to be an active, compassionate listener. I get that!
Thanks again!
Keep creating…a heart to listen,
Mike
Claire Celsi
1 year ago
Hey Wags!
Great post! I just wrote about “compassionate listening” and a huge part of that is asking questions! There is nothing that says “I care about you” more than asking someone a thoughtful question. I’m even going back in my post to add a link to your post!
mikewagner
1 year ago
Claire, thanks for the encouraging words! Much appreciated!
I think that one reason we shy away from compassionate listening is that it takes a lot of energy at times.
One leader I worked with once said, “I have lazy ears today.” By that he meant he didn’t have the energy needed to be an active, compassionate listener. I get that!
Thanks again!
Keep creating…a heart to listen,
Mike
Questions as Thermometers | State of Mind Coaching & Training
1 year ago
[...] Mike Wagner’s michaelcwagner.com/the-7-powers-of-questions/ [...]
Jade Handy
1 year ago
The reason it all comes back to the basics is because people drift away from them, from time to time. It’s friends like you that bring us back, again and again, and then add to it. Thanks for inspiring this post
http://stateofmindcoaching.com/2010/12/questions-as-thermometers/
5 Reasons You Don’t Ask Questions | Michael C Wagner - Professional Speaker
1 year ago
[...] Recommendation: In my previous post I recommended you consider buying The 7 Power of Questions by Dorothy Leeds. A good number of [...]