ONE WORD QUESTIONS

Do you ever encounter a colleague, friend or family member that seems just about ready to burst?  They shout out an emotionally charged word and you are not quite sure how to respond?

Another effective questioning skill is simply to respond to emotionally charged words by repeating them back with a questioning inflection in your voice.  For example:

• She/He says: “What a frustrating day!”
  You ask: “Frustrating?”
• She/He says: “I am so happy!”
  You ask: “Happy?”
• She/He says: “I am so exasperated!”
  You ask: “Exasperated?”
• She/He says: “I am  so delighted!”
  You ask: “Delighted?”
• She/He says: “I am furious!”
  You ask: “Furious?”
• She/He says: “That was awesome!”
  You ask: “Awesome?”
• She/He says: “I am overwhelmed!”
  You ask: “Overwhelmed?”
• She/He says: “I am just so pleased!”
  You ask: “Pleased?”
• She/He says: “This just makes me so sad!”
  You ask: “Sad?”
• She/He says: “Today was amazing!”
  You ask: “Amazing?”

Then listen – with your eyes!  

And don’t be surprised when they thank you for asking!