Is there such a thing as a bad question? Asking questions is essential at work, and knowing how to ask better questions can help improve conversations with your team members.

While it may sound like an easy concept, asking better questions is a craft that takes time and effort to master.

Today’s guest is Deb Calvert. Deb is the author of DISCOVER Questions® for Connections, Clarity & Control, and two previous bestsellers. As the founder of People First Leadership Academy and president of People First Productivity Solutions, Deb’s work focuses on leadership development and team effectiveness. She’s a Certified Master of The Leadership Challenge® and a certified executive coach. Deb was named one of the "65 Most Influential Women in Business" and was formerly an HR Director with a Fortune 500 company. In addition, Deb’s research and methodologies have been published globally in academic journals.

In this episode, Deb and I talk about the art of asking better questions. She shares the eight types of questions we should be asking, what happens when we ask sub-optimal questions, and provides alternatives to some common questions managers ask that really aren’t helpful.

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Conversation Topics

(00:00) Intro
(01:57) The problem with asking poorly-crafted questions
(03:24) What a sub-optimal question looks like
(06:29) 8 types of questions that managers should be asking
(18:10) A better alternative to a why question
(21:19) Alternatives to some common questions managers ask that aren’t helpful
(27:57) A great manager Deb has worked with
(29:21) Keep up with Deb
(31:03) [Extended Episode Only] Benefits of asking good questions and why you should put more thought into it
(34:55) [Extended Episode Only] How managers can help team members ask better questions
(36:48) [Extended Episode Only] How to encourage people to step out of their comfort zone and ask questions
(40:00) [Extended Episode Only] The best model for presenting information and asking questions to accommodate different personality types

Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by Joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

- Read the full transcript here

- Read the related blog article here

- Follow me on Instagram here

- Visit my website for more here

Keep up with Deb Calvert:

- Follow Deb on LinkedIn here

- Check out her company’s website here

- Learn more about her training programs and courses here

- Grab a copy of Deb’s book here

Guest Bonus: Discounted 3-Part Masterclass and Signed Book

Members can get an autographed copy of DISCOVER Questions® for Connections, Clarity & Control and access to a 3-part masterclass series to amp up your conversational skills for a total of $35. This is a savings of almost $100 compared to their individual list prices!

Get all of these guest bonuses and many other member benefits when you join The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

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The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.

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285: 8 Types of Questions Managers Should Ask Their Team Members with Deb Calvert

The Modern Manager