‘Any questions’ isn’t the only question

If there’s silence, people may not know what to ask; perhaps they don’t have anything to ask!

Maybe they’d like to share a story or an insight or make a comment. 

Comments and opinions have had a bad rap over recent years. 

Remember what would happen at a conference? Someone would approach the microphone and they didn’t have a question; they had a comment. They wanted to add their view and we’d get snappy about that. “Hey dude, questions only please!”

Why don’t we want to accept comments and opinions? Why are we only after questions? 

Question and answer is an interview or interrogation. It’s not really a dialogue or conversation. 

It’s a limited view of contribution, participation and interaction. 

Let’s allow anything!

I’ll often say ‘so ... questions, concerns, comments, compliments, complaints?’ 

That usually brings a smile to people and opens up the scope for all that is invited and welcomed. 

And then come all of their wonderful contributions, stories, learnings and insights. 

Magic!

‘Any questions’ is not the only way we can engage and connect with people. 

Invite more.