How to Ask Open Ended Questions

Asking open-ended questions is a great way to encourage deeper conversations and get people to share their thoughts and experiences. Here are some tips on how to ask open-ended questions:

1. Avoid questions that can be answered with a simple "yes" or "no". Instead, ask questions that require the respondent to provide more detail or explanation.

Example of closed-ended question: "Did you enjoy your vacation?" Example of open-ended question: "What was your favorite part of your vacation?"

2. Ask questions that begin with "what," "how," "why," or "tell me about." These types of questions encourage the respondent to elaborate and provide more information.

Example of closed-ended question: "Did you like the movie?" Example of open-ended question: "What did you think about the movie? What did you like about it?"

3. Avoid leading questions that suggest a specific answer. Instead, ask neutral questions that allow the respondent to provide their own perspective.

Example of a leading question: "Don't you think the new policy is a bad idea?" Example of a neutral open-ended question: "What are your thoughts on the new policy?"

4. Be genuinely curious and interested in the respondent's answer. This will encourage them to open up and share more.

Example: "I'm curious, what inspired you to pursue your current career?"

Overall, the key to asking open-ended questions is to be curious, avoid suggesting specific answers, and ask questions that require more than a simple "yes" or "no" response.