Ask as you want answered:

How should you ask a question?  Well, that depends on the answer you want.

If you want a ‘no’ answer, then frame the question in the negative; if you want a ‘yes’, then structure the question as a positive.  Note how you feel about responding to the following questions:

“Do you think you should?” or “Don’t you think you should not?”

What if you are on the receiving end of a leading question, how should you respond?  Simply respond with “Why do you ask?”  No doubt, this will irritate the questioner, but it should result in the right question being asked enabling you to give a better answer.

Effective questions are neutral, of the “what do you think?” type.  Of course, the problem  with asking it that way implies that you are really interested in the other person’s opinion.

And then you will be expected to take the answer seriously.  How annoying.

I’m James McIntosh at nonsenseatwork.com

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© 2009 James Henry McIntosh