TEDW — A simple model for asking better questions.
Use this technique to improve understanding throughout your day — customer interviews, hiring, 1:1s and stakeholder management.
Asking better questions is an extremely important skill. Much of what we do depends on building a good understanding to make better decisions. A good decision is one that doesn’t need changing (Shishir Mehrotra, 20VC) and those decisions are usually only made when there is a common understanding with those involved. So how do we build that understanding?
It’s important to realise, oftentimes, when we are engaged in dialogue, many people focus more on what they want to say next, waiting for their opportunity to jump. Stephen Covey, author of 7 Habits of Highly Effective People wrote:
Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.
In this dynamic you simply have people talking at each other as opposed to real communication. Good communication is about the message sent and the message received and it is the responsibility of both parties involved.
One of the ways to improve our conversations is through active listening. Active listening is…
