Open-Ended Questions: Solving Problems and Creating Leadership

Open-Ended Questions

Open-Ended Questions: What are they? How do they create opportunities for greater understanding in solving problems and creating leadership?

One of the most important skills in leadership is the ability to answer open-ended questions. ~ www.jaywren.com

Examples of Open-Ended Questions

Open-ended questions enable a person to give meaningful, well-developed answers.  The person uses knowledge, feelings, creativity, and skills of self-expression.

Furthermore, these questions show how well a person can think . That is, to see not just one solution, but multiple solutions.

Examples:

“What are business problems that you have solved? How did you solve them?”

“What would you do if you never had to work again?”

“Why should I hire you?”

Examples of Closed-End Questions

People use convergent thinking to answer closed-end questions. Additionally, closed-end questions have one answer.

“What color is your car?”
“Blue.”

“How many fish in the bowl?”
“Three.”

“Did you leave at 4:30?”
“Yes.”

The Importance of Developing Skills for Open-Ended Questions

Some brilliant people have very poor skills for answering open-ended questions. They have vast amounts of knowledge.  They know the facts and can solutions.

However, their careers falter, because they cannot express their knowledge and their ideas.

For example, financial executives must have skills to know the accuracy of their calculations.

CFOs must be able to explain to a board what the numbers mean.  Additionally, they must be able discuss how the company got into a financial position and how to manage the company’s finances going forward.

Presentation Skills

The place to start learning how to answer open-ended questions is presentation skills.  Developing these skills with help you do many things.

  • Sell more effectively,
  • Interview more effectively,
  • Become a more effective public speaker,
  • Be a leader in workplace meetings.

In short, you will be more successful when you develop your skills to answer open-ended questions.

In conclusion, here are articles that will help you become more effective in answering open-ended questions.

Published
Categorized as Leadership

By Jay Wren

During my career as a corporate recruiter, I conducted recruiting assignments for over one hundred companies. The success of my referrals often established the profile my clients used for future hires. At the same time, I helped thousands of people build more successful careers. “Building a successful career is a lifetime process. My book, “Best Jobs. Brightest Careers.” enables you to start from where you are today to begin the journey to where you want to go. Methods in this book have helped thousands of people build the confidence and skills for writing resumes, interviewing, networking, collaborating with headhunters, negotiating job offers, resigning, starting a new job, or becoming an entrepreneur.” EXPERIENCE Jay Wren Author: Best Jobs, Brightest Careers Contract recruiter for over one hundred manufacturers and suppliers Polaroid Corporation Sales Procter & Gamble Sales United States Navy, Lieutenant • Promoted through 3 Pay Grades in 3 Years • Bridge Officer of the Deck (Fleet) • Public Affairs Officer, The Bob Hope Show, The Miss America Armed Forces Tour, Recognized as the leading correspondent, Pacific Fleet, combat press releases EDUCATION University of Houston, Graduate, (GPA 3.75)

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