Most people believe communication is about answering questions well.
But what if the biggest mistake you can make in a difficult conversation is answering the wrong question?
Many questions are not designed to discover information. They are designed to create a conclusion before you ever speak.
A question like:“Why did you fail to prepare your team?”or“Why are you being so defensive?”
...may appear to ask for information - but hidden inside is an accusation.
And the moment you accept the premise of the question, you may surrender control of the conversation.
In this episode of "Speaking With Intent", I explore the hidden power behind the questions people ask and explains:• Why some questions are actually disguised conclusions• How intelligent professionals accidentally defend false assumptions• The difference between accountability and accepting a false premise• How leaders can respond without becoming defensive• The three-step method for regaining control of difficult conversations
Strong communicators do not avoid challenging questions.They understand them.
Because the person who controls the question often controls the conversation.
The skill is not learning how to escape questions.The skill is learning how to recognize when a question is trying to define reality before you respond.
Speak with intent.