What makes a good conversation question?

1. Open-ended questions are great for bringing another person
into the conversation and showing them that you care about what they say. . Open-ended questions can't be answered with a one word answer like 'yes' or 'no'. That's good because the answer then gives you something to build upon in your next responses.

Are there any drawbacks to using open-ended questions?  Unfortunately, yes, open-ended questions have their problems. They work well where everyone in the conversation wants to share control of the conversation, listen to everyone else and there is enough time for the conversation to allow for proper sharing and listening. Where that isn't the case and time is limited, open-ended questions may be a luxury you can't afford.

Open-ended questions also imply shared control of a conversation, and that shared control has to be real in order to be meaningful. If you're a boss talking to a worker and wanting them to follow some instructions for you that are not negotiable - don't waste time with open-ended questions.

2. Mirror questions can be used to encourage other people to speak in a conversation. They are non-directive, though, because they leave the respondent space to decide how to respond. Mirror questions are aimed at getting more detail from someone on a topic you've already been talking about.

Here is an example of a mirror question:

"I'm feeling really tired" can be mirrored back to the person as "Do you feel like you haven't as much energy as usual?"

3. Probing questions are a way of getting more information or clarification on a topic. They aren't interrogations or cross -examinations. They are follow-up questions that request more information from the other person. These are good questions because most people need to be encouraged if they are to talk in greater depth and learn more about each other. Few people divulge more information willingly, perhaps for fear of 'going on' and boring people. Help them to open up by asking a probing question.

"You bought that shirt at _________? How do you find their sizing? Do they give small or large fits, do you think?"

4. Leading questions are bad. Don't use them. They can be manipulative, getting people to say what you want them to say. The information you get from them can therefore be false, as the person answering you may just say what they think you want them to say. That's not a great basis for a conversation is it? I could give you an example here but I won't - I don't want to encourage you into bad habits!

So, use questiosn as a really useful tool within your conversations. Any good conversation question really takes your conversations to a deeper level and enable you to find out a lot more about the person you're talking to.