(Originally posted on July 22, 2017.)

I was reading a life coaching book the other day and the author was talking about open questions vs. leading questions. 

An open question is, “What do you think?”

A leading question is, “Have you considered asking Joe for his help?”

The open question actually asks about a person’s thoughts. The leading question is really advice couched as a question (you think Joe can help him, so you are nudging him that way).

Open questions value the thoughts and desires of the individual. Leading questions say “I know better than you and you need a little help.”

Yes, there is a time for advice and help, but open questions are a far better place to start in any conversation (and, honestly, it’s more respectful).

A prudent question is one-half of wisdom. Francis Bacon

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