Tony Robbins has said, “that the quality of your life is determined by the quality of the questions you ask.” Questions unlock incredibly powerful opportunities for orthodontists. They ignite our curiosity, build relationships and give us control over many situations. In addition, the person asking questions controls the conversation but can also help make a connection.
Overconfidence, ego, or worry about asking a stupid question prevents many from benefitting from the power of questions. A know-it-all usually delivers the information, rarely listens, and misses the opportunity to provide influence and impact. Therefore, leverage the power of questions to become a better leader, improve your team, gain patient acceptance of treatment, and improve your relationships in and out of work.
Verify
A common way to use questions effectively is to verify facts, thoughts, and opinions. Clinicians are well versed in verifying the information as we confirm medical history, a chief concern, and explore problems within our practices. For example, we can confirm answers by specific questions requiring a yes or no response, or we can ask open-ended questions to understand other perspectives better. A leader who verifies with effective questions can also mitigate risk by uncovering unforeseen issues.
Connect
Questions can help people open up. Genuine curiosity and starter questions can lead to conversation. These questions should be casual and not an interrogation. Interrogations lead to resistance and caution, while casual conversation interlaced with questions can improve the experience of a new patient exam or clinical appointment.
In organizations such as orthodontic practices, questions amongst the team can ignite curiosity, learning potential, and interpersonal bonding. More innovation and empowerment can develop when leaders ask their team questions and nurture a culture of interest and connection.
Control
Direct questions guide a conversation. Sometimes those questions can affect the tone and path of a discussion. Furthermore, they can even control the situation. There can be leading questions treatment coordinators use to influence a patient into starting. Who asks the questions controls the conversation. Questions and not answers put you in control. So remember, if you are a leader who constantly answers questions and solves problems for your team, others are consequently controlling your workday. Take control of your life and become a better leader by leveraging the power of questions.
