The Art of Open-Ended Questions

The Art of Open-Ended Questions

Have you ever had a conversation with someone and felt like you really had a connection? That they really “get you” and you looked forward to your next encounter? It may have even been in a business situation or community function. If so, there’s a good chance two things took place. Most of the focus was on you, and your conversation was with someone who had an understanding of the power of open-ended questions.

It is natural for us to want some focus on us, so you shouldn’t feel uncomfortable with that. Focusing on the other person is an easy way to make them feel special, interesting and unique.

The art of answering open-ended questions is not quite so simple. With practice, however, you can see it pay off big both in terms of personal and business-related relationships.

Open-ended questions are those that require some explanation other than a simple yes or no answer or one word response.

Asking a child, for example, if “they had fun today” may get a yes or no response. Asking them “what did you do that was fun today” will likely solicit a more involved answer.

“What did you find most interesting about France?”, “What is it like in the real estate business these days?” and “Wow, tell me more about what its like owning your own restaurant.” are likely to engage a lively and interesting conversation. More so than “How long have you been selling houses?”

Putting some thought into well-phrased, open-ended questions shows you are interested. It allows the person you are speaking with to elaborate of the items of importance to them. You can more easily and quickly find out where their “hot buttons” are and what makes their eyes light up and engages them. They may even have a better chance of leaving your meeting thinking what a great conversationalist you are and how you really had a “connection”.

Building relationships is like building a business. It can take time, thought, diligence and care. In a perfect world, friends are good customers and customers are good friends.

If you have questions about your business insurance, we are here to help. Do you think you can’t afford it? Contact us. We can provide a free, no-obligation quote. We look forward to assisting you.


Do you have questions about your insurance? Find an insurance agent near you with our Agent Finder

Search All Blogs

Generic filters
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Search in excerpt

Buzz Your
Insurance Agent

Search for a local agent with our agent finder map.

Agent Finder

Want to learn more about our blog writer?

Read more about KayLynn's background.

Click Here

Search All Blogs

Generic filters
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Search in excerpt

American Grandeur: Exploring the Majesty of America’s Iconic Castles

Beyond fairy tales: Discover the real-life castles of America.

Mind-Blowing Trivia: Random Facts to Spark Curiosity

From mountain heights to shoe counts: Random facts that will surprise you.

Punching Above Your Weight: Building a Strong Brand to Compete with Giants

Small business, big impact: Building a brand that rivals the competition.

Life Insurance: Investment or Protection? Decoding Cash Value Policies

Is life insurance an investment? Understanding cash value policies.

Independent vs. Captive: Choosing the Right Auto Insurance Agent

Unlock more choices: Understanding independent vs. captive insurance agents.

Deluges of Disaster: Remembering America’s Most Devastating Floods

From Johnstown to New Orleans: Remembering the fury of America’s historic floods.

Beyond the Theme Parks: 7 Unique Florida Experiences

Discover a different side of Florida: 7 unique adventures.

Turning Negatives into Positives: Mastering Online Reputation Management

Don’t fear negative reviews: Learn how to manage your online reputation.

From Picky Eaters to Healthy Habits: Nurturing Lifelong Wellness in Children

Beyond the clean plate: Fostering healthy eating habits that last a lifetime.

Road Rage and Reckless Driving: Are We Forgetting the Rules of the Road?

Are today’s drivers losing their way? A refresher on essential driving skills.