We all ask questions, at some point or another, during our conversation. Some of us do so, inorder to call for more information. We sometimes use questioning techniques to check if the other person has understood the point we are trying to make or to make ourselves better understood. It is mainly, to get a feedback or a desired response. If we may say so, asking questions is generally associated with people in authority. Therefore, questioning can be perceived as a leadership trait. Having said that, not all can be leaders just asking questions. It is therefore, important to know, ‘How’ and ‘When’ to ask questions. Let us see some of the ways in which we can ask questions effectively.Asking Open-Ended Questions: This technique can demonstrate trust. When used while speaking to co-workers, it helps them think for themselves, obtain answers and take on greater responsibilities and challenges. This is the reason why teachers and trainers are encouraged to ask open ended questions in class. It not only shows clarity, it helps display the thought process of the learner. It also works as a feedback mechanism to gather a response. A simple example is, “What have you learnt today?” Another open-ended question usually asked at Interviews or in social or business circles is, “Tell me something more about yourself?” An open-ended question is expected to elicits a detailed response.Asking Close-Ended Questions: This questioning technique is used to get answers to what we expect to hear. This questioning technique is best used when creating surveys. They are answered with a simple ‘yes‘ or ‘no‘ and are generally, single word answers. Close-ended questions are usually asked to keep the conversation short, yet specific.  For example, “How many days will you take to prepare the sales report?” or “What is your name?”Leading Questions: These are the questioning techniques used to lead people to our way of thinking or to the way we want to set the expected response. For example, “Jane spends at least two hours a day networking. Do you think if you did something similar, it will help you in your business?” Leading questions usually end as close ended questions to where we want our response to lead.Asking Rhetorical Questions: This questioning technique is just an exclamation and does not really expect an answer. A rhetorical question is great when making a point. For example, “Why are you wasting away your time when you can do so much more!” This question does not really need an answer. It is used only to draw emphasis on the subject matter or to make people think. Another example of a rhetorical question is, “It’s such a wonderful day today, Isn’t It?”Probing Questions: The emphasis here is on the word, ‘Why’. Asking the question, ‘Why?’ after every response, finds us another response or helps us get more information and gain clarity from someone who speaks little or who is not very social or open. For example: “Why don’t you like sports?” So, based upon the response, we may ask another ‘Why’ or a probing question till we get more information. However, in this questioning technique, it is important to use a neutral tone of voice when asking questions.Let not our body language and tone of voice betray our true feelings. We will see a huge amount of healthy interaction at the workplace if we ask questions with a neutral tone of voice and body language rather than using a judgmental one. Great things happen when we ask nicely. Asking questions is a way to invite the other person into a conversation, or to ease a conversation, which in turn results in a positive exchange.  Asking questions can be a great icebreaker too. For example, questions like, “What do you think of this article?” or an add-on question like, “What else could this article include?”The trick in questioning is to ask the right question at the right time to the right audience. Asking questions displays our curiosity and how much we care. It also shows that we are interested in knowing more about the topic or person in question. Asking questions is sometimes the best way to have a constructive conversation. – Sandra Barros, Image ConsultantSandra Barros is an Image Management Consultant and Soft Skills Trainer. She helps young professionals, women and students who need to develop themselves professionally. For more details, join our workshop ‘The Professional Edge‘.For other programs visit www.barrosimageconsultancy.com