We've all had the experience of starting a new job and leaving work early on a Friday afternoon for a happy hour. This is the first time you've talked to a colleague in a social setting.
Whether you're an introvert or an extrovert, this situation is nerve-wracking. It's hard to get yourself out there, build new relationships, and make friends. Don't overthink it and focus on your colleagues. If you go to a social event with interesting questions and topics in mind, you'll find it easier to get to know others.
Asking questions is an important communication skill that will allow you to go further in life. Let's familiarize ourselves with some of the easiest questions to get to.
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Why are you asking?
Talking about yourself and sharing the details of your life is an emotional catharsis, which is also a key ingredient in building deeper relationships.
Here are the other benefits of asking:
You might learn something surprising. Everyone has different experiences and backgrounds, maybe a colleague learned something interesting in college, or maybe they've been to a country on your travel bucket list. You never know what interesting facts will come up in the conversation.
You will forget about the tension. On our first day at work or at camp, we all sat down and put everyone at ease with a few rounds of ice-breaking questions. When you're nervous about social activities, it's easy to retract your brain.
You may be worried about your appearance, or afraid to say something stupid. Asking questions allows you to focus on others rather than yourself. You may find that your interest and curiosity can also help you make a good first impression.
You may feel less alone. Being a new employee is lonely, but asking questions will help you find common ground with others. Who knows?You might find your next bandmate or fitness buddy.
Meeting new people can be scary, it's okay to ask for help, find your voice and strengthen your communication skills so you're ready to face any challenges in life.
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Everyone's daily problems
Here are some great questions to use to get to know someone, make connections, and open the door to deeper topics later. These are great everyday questions to ask a colleague, acquaintance, family member, or loved one.
What TV show have you watched lately?
What's your favorite book?
What's your favorite type of restaurant?
What do you like to drink?
Do you have any hobbies?
Do you spend a lot of time socializing?
Who is your favorite fictional character?
When they answer, you can look for what you have in common, offer your own thoughts, ask follow-up questions, and a good conversation will start before you even know it.
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Personal issues
If things are going well, in order to get to know someone better, you can ask these questions below: Asking more personal questions can help you build trust and lead to deep conversations:
If you had to pick a movie to describe your life, which one would it be?
Have you tried meditation?
What should everyone go through in their lifetime?
If you had all the free time and resources in the world, what would you do?
Why did you choose your career?
What are you most afraid of?
What is your earliest childhood memory?
What is the spoiler of a first date?
What's the most annoying thing about you?
As long as you're both comfortable, these questions will help build a deeper connection. You might even find your next best friend. There is no best question to get to know a person, but there are some questions that can give you a deeper understanding of a person.
Just make sure that your inquiries are skillful and not snooping into other people's private lives. Asking intrusive questions is the last thing you need to do while making small talk. Pay attention to people's body language. If they look away or frown, these are all signs to avoid personal problems.
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Interesting question
It's okay to be a little silly. Don't be afraid to use your imagination and talk about your sinful pleasures. Here are some interesting examples that might give you a surprising answer:
What's the craziest thing you've ever seen someone do while driving?
If you were to choose a new name, what would it be?Why?
What's the worst thing you've ever smelled?
What are some well-known facts that make you feel more uneasy the more you think about it?
What would you do if you found yourself living in a sitcom?
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would you choose?
Who knows what kind of predicament you'll get into?If things get too weird, you can always move on to a different topic.
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Problems with work
Not all questions are appropriate for the workplace, so it's important to pay attention to the context. Focusing on your work may help avoid potential embarrassment. Here are some examples:
When choosing a career, did you think about your childhood dream job?
What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?
What's your favorite way to prepare for a meeting?
Where is the best place to drink coffee in the office?
What made you want to work for this company?
What's on your career bucket list?
What was your first job?
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How to become good at asking questions?
Once you know what questions to understand what questions a person should ask, you want to keep things going. Here are some guidelines to keep in mind when chatting.
Have curiosity
Ask real questions. What do you want to know about this person?People will be more responsive if they feel you're interested in making an authentic connection.
Pick the pace
Remember, this is not an interrogation. The purpose of this is to relax and start talking, not asking questions. The question is the beginning, and the rest will take its course. If there is a break, you can ask another question at the right time.
Listen
When listening to their answers, be sure to listen actively. Show your interest through receptive body language and ask follow-up questions based on what they say.
Interpret body language
Body language speaks for itself more than words alone. Pay attention to facial expressions, gestures, habits, eye contact, body behavior, and tone of voice. Body language gives you hints and lets you know if your conversation is going well.
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Build self-confidence
It's natural to feel uneasy when you meet someone new. You may not be sure how they will respond to your conversations, or worry that they won't accept you. In the early days of human evolution, acceptance meant life and death. This means that we have less access to food and are more vulnerable to predators. However, in modern society, these feelings can interfere with meaningful connections.
Self-confidence can help you relax your nerves. It can also make you happier and more resilient to life's uncertainties in the long run.
Here are some tips to help you stay confident:
Don't compare yourself to others. You're already an amazing person, why waste your time trying to be someone else?
Engage in positive self-talk. This strategy can help you dispel any doubts that you are not as great as you really are.
Be proud of what you've accomplished so far. Looking back on your proudest moments, you worked hard to get to where you are today, and you may even want to give yourself a reward when you accomplish something meaningful.
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Summary
Now that you know how to get to know a person through the above 29 questions, practice more on a daily basis to help you become the best version of yourself.
The original article was first published on WeChat***"Knowledge of workplace management"