How to Use Questions to Maintain Direction and Control of the Agenda

Terry J. Fadem

Do you have a plan for specific types of questioning for certain settings, or do you just allow events to unfold? Depending on the setting you find yourself in, there may be different strategies to consider when asking questions.

Does the Manager Need to Control the Conversation?

Attorneys use questions to control testimony. Managers can also use this method of control, but under specific circumstances. The conversation-control strategy requires that a series of questions be prepared, preferably in advance if possible. If not, then at least you need to be a question or two ahead of the conversation as it’s taking place. Without a series of related questions, many ...