If you have been to a networking event lately, do you notice that most people ask the same question? “Hi, I’m Brad, what do you do? “ Maybe you have been one of these people who sound like this! What is the real purpose of this question? Bottom-line, the person asking it wants to know if you are a match for what his needs and if not, they are off to the next prey!

What about in a business relationship, or any other relationship for that matter, do you hear the same questions over and over, and it begins to sound like a broken record? (I’m dating myself here). One of my specialties is that I teach businesses, their teams, and individuals to ask the right questions so they can get to their solutions, quickly and start having immediate results.

Here are 3 tips in asking the right questions:

1. Show genuine interest in the person you are interacting with. It’s not about how many people you can meet, rather the quality of the relationships you develop. The person you just met may not be able to help you directly and if she felt that she had a connection to you, most likely she can give you the name of someone who would be an ideal client for you.

2. Ask unique questions that provoke genuine thought. For example, “What are you like at your absolute best?” will evoke the feelings of the person you are talking to and really begin to develop a connection with you if you are authentic and sincere in your asking. A person will remember you by the types of questions you ask, whether at networking event, a job interview, or even a prospective date!

3. Acknowledge. The majority of the people just can’t wait until the other person stops talking so that they can put in their two-cents worth so they rarely hear what was just said. Slow down your thoughts, really engage with the person, and continue to talk about what they just said. Don’t worry, it will soon be their turn to ask you questions!

Brandon Moreno is the co-author of a forthcoming book called, Wake Up … Live the Life You Love: Bouncing Back and will be receiving his certification as a Core Energy Coach from iPEC and accreditation from the International Coaching Federation later this year. In addition, Brandon currently sits on the Board of Directors and acts as Vice President of Professional Membership for the San Diego Recruiters Roundtable (SDRR), which includes San Diego’s largest and best known HR networking communities that serve Human Resources professionals, executives, and consultants. He also serves as a mediator for the National Conflict Resolution Center.

Brandon Moreno
Business Strategy & HR Mgmt Consultant
Leadership Coach

Leading Edge Thought
www.yourthoughtsbecome.com