Why Master Open-Ended Questions

Cathie Leimbach • April 8, 2025

In today's busy workplace, asking good questions can make you better at your job. Open-ended questions—ones that need more than just "yes" or "no" answers—help you learn more and have better conversations with others.


Research shows these questions really work. Gallup found that managers who use open-ended questions have 27% less employee turnover and 18% better productivity. These questions make team members feel safe to share their ideas.


Harvard Business Review says that when bosses ask at least four open-ended questions in meetings, teams come up with 42% more creative solutions. By asking instead of telling, leaders get more ideas from everyone.


McKinsey discovered that managers who are good at asking open-ended questions find 34% more opportunities for process improvement. These questions help spot problems and challenge old ways of thinking.


These benefits go beyond just team conversations. The Journal of Applied Psychology found that salespeople who use open-ended questions with customers make 23% more sales. By better understanding what customers need, they can offer better solutions.



Learning to ask open-ended questions isn't just about talking better—it's a skill that helps you succeed in all parts of work. Click here for more information.

The Power of Reflective Listening at Work

By Cathie Leimbach • April 22, 2025
Have you ever felt like someone wasn't really hearing you? Reflective listening can fix that problem in the workplace. Reflective listening means truly understanding what someone is saying before you respond. When a coworker is speaking, focus completely on their words instead of planning what you'll say next. Many of us start forming responses while others are still talking, which means we miss important parts of their message. True listening requires patience and practice. To become a reflective listener, start by giving your full attention. Put away your phone, turn away from your computer, and make eye contact. Then, after the person finishes speaking, briefly summarize what you heard. You might say, "So what I'm hearing is..." This shows you were truly listening and gives them a chance to clarify if needed. The benefits of reflective listening are huge. It reduces misunderstandings, builds trust between coworkers, and helps solve problems more effectively. People feel valued when they're truly heard, which creates a more positive workplace. With practice, reflective listening becomes a habit that improves all your work relationships. Remember: listen first, respond second. Your workplace will be better for it.

The Self-Discipline of a Growth Mindset

By Cathie Leimbach • April 15, 2025
A growth mindset means believing you can get smarter and develop new skills through hard work and practice. People with a growth mindset see challenges as opportunities to grow. On the other hand, a fixed mindset means thinking your talents and abilities cannot change much, no matter how hard you try. People with a growth mindset are more likely to exercise self-discipline to learn new behaviors. This helps us adapt to new opportunities. When we push ourselves to try different approaches, we open doors that would otherwise remain closed. This takes courage and commitment, especially at first when new ways of doing things feel uncomfortable or difficult. Our brains have amazing potential to change throughout our lives. When we repeatedly practice new skills or ways of thinking, our brain creates new pathways that make these actions easier over time. What once felt impossible can gradually become second nature.  The hard part is sticking with new behaviors long enough for them to become normal. This is where self-discipline comes in . By consistently practicing different approaches, what once required enormous effort eventually feels natural. This ability to adapt keeps us growing, helps us keep up with our changing world, and unlocks possibilities we might never have imagined.
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