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SHARON: You knowif it will count as technical experience should the Boston job open up later in the year. |
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BOB: "Later in the year?" |
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SHARON: "Well, maybe by December. Or it could be January before it's open, but soon anyway. I'm just afraid I don't have the patience." |
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BOB: "Patience?" |
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SHARON: "To work with Brenda and Harry. They're both such perfectionists." |
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BOB: "What do you mean by perfectionists?" |
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SHARON: "They just never sign off on a project. They've always got to modify just one more thing. They never make a development deadline." |
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You get the idea. The echo technique gets elaboration by default. |
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Tip 511: Remind others that it's okay not to have answers to your questions. |
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Sometimes a question meant to provoke thought is taken as a serious question that must have an answer. When the others mull over the issue and toss out answers that you refute or punch holes in, they begin to feel stupid, frustrated, angry, trapped, or wrong. Your question may put a damper on the entire meeting or party. When you see that happening, rush to explain that you don't expect them to come out with a rock-solid answerthat you intended the question to generate ideas, nothing more. |
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Tip 512: Adopt the Ben Franklin perspective. |
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Ben Franklin, a philosopher without the formal training, demanded that people think. He questioned everyone about everythingscientists, community founders, medical professionals, public educators, and administrators. What-ifs made his world go around. If you want to challenge the status quo, charge up your staff meetings, or spark your social life, ask questions. You'll force people to justify or change views, to think creatively, to gather new information, and to expand their horizons. |
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