This is going to be an extra short post as I’m at the airport devouring a breakfast taco and preparing to board a flight to LAX. I’m facilitating a workshop tomorrow to a very bright and driven group of entrepreneurs.  They have been a dream client and I’m super excited!

One of several things I hope to share with them is that questions are powerful when it comes to creating good conversations and connections. In fact good questions are powerful period. They stimulate our brains and help us explore, find solutions to challenges, and expand our dreams and creativity.

Put another way, questions create possibilities.

For today, I’d like to share one of my very favorite questions – actually it’s a series of questions – to ask people I’m meeting for the first time.

Question 1 – This will seem boring, but here goes: after initial introductions, I ask…What do you do? Or… What’s keeping you busy?  I know, I know. Big deal. Whatever. But stay with me here.

Question 2 – Do you love it?  This is where things get interesting.  You may get an enthusiastic “Yes!” Or… another reaction altogether, ranging from silence to a slight wince.  From this place you can ask any number of questions.

Questions 3 and beyond – Why or why not? What’s the best part of what you do? What’s the hardest? Who inspired you? How did you get to this place?  What are you thinking might be next for you? What would really light you up? Do you have big dreams or plans in your future? What are they?  All these questions are about exploring and showing interest and curiosity.  Two big parts of a good conversation.

And the biggie:  How may I help?  What can I do for you?

In the end, conversations are not about us. And we are all here to serve each other and help the world become a much better and more supportive and interesting place.

What questions are your favorites? The ones you ask yourself as well as the ones you ask others?