Have you ever been in a conversation with a colleague or manager and felt like you didn’t understand what they were talking about? Or maybe you wanted to learn more about something they said, but you weren’t sure how to ask without sounding silly.
Asking educative questions is a great way to learn new things, build relationships with your colleagues, and show that you’re interested in your work. However, it’s important to ask questions in a way that is respectful and productive.
Here are a few tips on how to ask educative questions in professional relationships:
Be specific
The more specific your question is, the better. Instead of asking “What do you mean by that?”, ask “Could you please explain what you mean by ‘leverage’?” or “Could you give me an example of how you’ve used that strategy in the past?”
Do your research
Before you ask a question, try to do some research on the topic. This will show your colleagues that you’re serious about learning and that you’re not just asking questions to waste their time.
Be respectful
Even if you don’t understand something, it’s important to be respectful of your colleagues’ time and expertise. Avoid asking questions that are too simple or that could be easily answered with a Google search.
Be open-minded
The best way to learn is to be open to new ideas and perspectives. When you ask a question, be prepared to have your mind changed.
Here are some real-life examples of educative questions:
- Instead of: “What is your strategy for this project?”
- Ask: “Could you please walk me through your thought process on this project?”
- Instead of: “Why did you choose this approach?”
- Ask: “Could you please explain the pros and cons of the different approaches we considered?”
- Instead of: “How did you get to where you are today?”
- Ask: “Could you please share some of the challenges and opportunities you’ve faced in your career?”
By following these tips, you can ask educative questions that will help you learn new things, build relationships with your colleagues, and show that you’re interested in your work.
African setting example:
You’re a new employee at a tech startup in Accra, Ghana. You’re working on a project with a more experienced colleague,and you’re not sure how to do something. Instead of asking “What do I do now?”, you could ask “Could you please show me how to do this?” or “Could you please explain the steps involved in this process?” This shows your colleague that you’re interested in learning and that you’re not just asking for help.
Another example is if you’re in a meeting with your manager and they mention a new strategy that the company is implementing. Instead of asking “What is this new strategy?”, you could ask “Could you please explain how this new strategy will impact our team?” or “What are the goals of this new strategy?” This shows your manager that you’re thinking about the big picture and that you’re interested in how the company is doing.
By asking educative questions, you can show your colleagues and manager that you’re a valuable asset to the team and that you’re committed to your career.
