Today, we’re excited to share insights from Trish Feehan, our Senior Instructional Designer. With a rich background in training and mentoring, Trish has mastered the art of communication.
For many years, I trained and mentored distress line volunteers. During training, our recruits mastered the art of active listening so they could befriend lonely callers and handle suicide calls. We emphasized the importance of asking open questions to expand conversations and show you care.
No question about it: open questions are a wonderful conversational tool. Meanwhile, I overlooked the benefits of closed questions.
Here’s the twist. Since joining Wavelength, I’ve learned one of our many communication tips: the closed question is your go-to when you need a simple answer. And they’re invaluable when you’re sending emails.
Make it easy for your reader
Want to know the secret to fast email replies? Ask closed questions. Why? Because you make it easy for your reader to respond. Your reader can shoot back a one-word answer: yes, no, Wednesday.
Here’s how you can use closed questions
- Instead of “Let me know when works for you to meet,” try “Would you prefer to meet on Wednesday or Thursday?”
- Swap “I’d like the update by the end of the week. Please confirm,” with “Can you send me the update by the end of the week?”
- Replace “Reach out if you need any help to complete the project,” with “Do you have everything you need to complete the project?”
The result? You’ll see a spike in swift replies, and your contacts will appreciate the simplicity you’ve brought to their inbox.
Join the Conversation: Have you tried using closed questions in your emails? Did it speed up the response time? Drop a comment below and let’s exchange insights!
