Your Questions Are Boring

People don't buy from people they like. People buy from people they trust.

The best way to establish trust is to ask better questions.

When I say "buy" I don't mean buy your product or service or widget you're selling.

Sometimes when we say "buy" we mean buy into your idea, invest in your business, take on a project you're delegating, accept a job you've offered, give you a promotion.

Sometimes the "buy" comes in the form of benefit of the doubt.

Don't you think we all could use the benefit of the doubt?

People BUY from people they trust.

Trust is established through consistency, showing up, AND asking better questions.

No meaningful business relationship was ever developed by asking HOW ARE YOU?

Take How are you OFF the table and swap it out with a better question.

How are you is a Shallow Hal question.

As much as I love Jack Black, I don't love shallow questions that get you no where.

Asking deeper questions will accelerate your business relationships more than you could have imagined.

Below are some of my favorite questions.

What made you laugh this week?

What are you working on?

What's for dinner tonight?

What would 2.0 you say to 1.0 you?

What are you really excited about this week?

What's weighing on your mind right now?

Who's your sports team?

What is your morning ritual?

What is your get to work ritual?

What's on tap for the weekend?

I triple dog dare you to take How Are You off the table and swap it out with one of these questions above at work TODAY and see what happens.

Let me know how it goes!

Mandi Graziano, a celebrated author honored with multiple awards for her work in Sales Tales, is a renowned group sales coach and serves as the Vice President of Global Accounts at HPN Global. With a talent for coaching 1:1 and teams alike, she orchestrates lively, interactive sessions that infuse joy, captivate audiences, and empower sales teams across the globe. To discover more about Mandi's expertise, connect with her on Instagram and LinkedIn.