Listening & Using Questions in Leadership

How many of you have had formal training or study in listening & asking questions outside of EMBA?

Matt McMurry Karl Bokenkamp EMBA_2 Matt McMurry (on the left; EMBA_2) and Karl Bokenkamp Matt McMurry Karl Bokenkamp EMBA_2

Matt sent this article to Kirk and me with the question: “Does EMBA pay enough attention to this critical communication and leadership skill?” --Nope

Is listening easy? Why not?

Listening Self-Assessment I approach important listening situations without clearing my mind or taking steps to prevent interruptions or distractions. I engage in other activities when someone is speaking to me. I assume I know that others will say and tune them out as a result. I finish sentences for others when they can’t seem to get their message out. I find that my biases and prejudices cause me to stop listening. I become impatient and tune others out when I disagree with what they are saying. I form a rebuttal in my mind while others are talking. I ignore nonverbal cues such as voice, tone, posture and pace. I day dream when others are talking. I act as if I understand what people are saying, rather than asking them to repeat themselves to clarify a point.

Tactics for effective listening?

Rule #9: Ask, Don’t Tell Easy? Why not?

“Do it this way.”

What are the various objectives of questions?

“The important and difficult job is never to find the right answers, it is to find the right questions.” Peter Drucker

Qualities of good questions?

Qualities of bad questions?

Your best questions?

Case #1: Marketing Case #5: App Case #2: Product Case #6: Longer product Case #3: Product Case #7: Short cement Case #4: App