There are times when you should not ask a question!

There are times when you should not ask a question!

Bob Tiede has been on the staff of Cru for 46 years. He currently serves on the U.S. Leadership Development Team and is passionate about seeing leaders grow and multiply their effectiveness. Bob is also an Author and Blogger. His free eBook “Great Leaders ASK Questions – A Fortune 100 List” (downloaded by leaders in over 100 Nations the first week it was released) is available for free download on his Blog: LeadingWithQuestions.com now in its 9th year and followed by Leaders in over 190 countries.

You’re thinking, “Did I read that correctly? Did the Blogger of LeadingWithQuestions.com really just say there are times when you shouldn’t ask a question?”

YES – He Did!

You give a great speech with a superb opening, stories, and instantly implementable content. So far, your speech has been 10 out of 10!

Then, when you reach the end of your speech and ask your audience, “Are there any questions?” You hear nothing but crickets—awkward silence, which doesn’t end. The deafening silence continues, and no one raises their hands to ask a question. So you finally say, “Thank You Very Much!” and walk away from the podium.

Your incredibly well-done speech ended with a nose-dive. It crashed! Your last impression was a “0” out of 10. Yes, you shot yourself in the foot! Yes, it was a self-inflicted wound!

So, what can you do differently?

Might you want to save your best story for the end?

Would you end with a terrific quote?

A leader stands on stage addressing an audience in a dimly lit auditorium. The attentive crowd is seated, and the brightly illuminated stage highlights the speaker against a large, mostly white backdrop, as blue and green lights add ambiance.

A woman, exuding the poise of a leader, holds a microphone and speaks on stage with her image projected in the background. Wearing a light blazer, she addresses an audience confidently against a green backdrop.

You give a great speech with a superb opening, stories, and instantly implementable content. So far, your speech has been 10 out of 10!

BOB TIEDE

Or could you end with a different kind of question?

A bunch of years ago, I was in the audience when I saw the speaker (I would tell you his name if I could remember – I do remember the speaker was a man) make incredible use of his and everyone’s cell phones. Instead of asking the audience to turn off/silence/put away their cell phones, he asked everyone to get them out. He then shared his number and asked everyone in the audience to text him their answer. He then shared 10-15 of their answers and then asked another question and shared 10-15 of their answers.

He repeated this process once or twice during his talk. The audience was engaged. They were not just listening to a conversation; they were participants in his presentation.

Near the end of his talk, he asked the audience a question! No – he didn’t ask, “Are there any questions?” Instead, he asked them to pull out their cell phones again and share one thing they would implement due to his talk!

WOW! He scored a 10 out of 10 from beginning to end! Truthfully, I seldom come up with great new ways to do something! But I love to copy brilliance! And I have been using what I observed that day in every “Leading With Questions” presentation I have done since!

And now here is my question for you: My cell is 214-213-2179. What are you going to be doing differently next time you give a speech/make a presentation? Can’t wait to read your text! Oh – please share your name with me when you text.

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