Don’t make the mistake of answering the question

In fast-paced meetings, people rarely ask exactly what they mean. So don’t rush to answer their question.

Instead, work out their real concern:

👉 Paraphrase their question in your own words
👉 Ask them to expand
👉 Invite them to tell you more
👉 Reflect back how they seem – curious, frustrated, concerned?

Do this and they’ll expand on their question. They’ll open up. They’ll get to the core of their concern. 

And that’s the question you should answer.