Have you ever found yourself at a work social, kid’s t-ball game, or family reunion struggling to come up with positive, useful, or interesting topics? It can be crippling and can hold you back from all kinds of personal and professional growth. What if there were a simple method to not only break you free of this feeling but also launch you into social relevance? The answer is both simple and easy… Ask good questions.
Just like you, everyone has their own experiences, likes/dislikes, opinions, and preferences. Think about some of your own; what would you want people to know about you? What makes you unique and interesting? For me, it’s my habits, my interest in improving them, and the exploration of what makes our journey interesting here on planet Earth. So think about the topics you hold dearest and prepare some questions that would elicit this information from you.
These questions will help you really get to know someone and that person will feel seen; something we are all yearning for. These questions will drive a deeper connection. However for the sake of social norms, start light, keep it light, and never judge an answer out loud.
Example questions might look like:
So, tell me about yourself…
What are you into?
What is something you do every day?
Do you have any goals you are trying to accomplish this year?
Honestly, that’s probably more than enough to fill 20 minutes for anyone willing to have a conversation. If the questions that interest you don’t break through the crust of this person, it’s ok if not everyone is in a mood to dig into a conversation.
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