Our first Moodtalk Meetup was an inspiring online session on the art of good questions. Together, we explored why questions form the foundation of a successful Moodtalk and how targeted questioning can improve the quality of our talks.
Why are good questions essential?
A team talk thrives when all participants actively contribute and different perspectives become visible. This doesn’t happen automatically—it requires carefully formulated questions that encourage reflection. While closed questions can only be answered with “yes” or “no,” open questions create space for reflection, new ideas, and deeper insights. They help shift the focus from problem-orientation to solution-finding and enable constructive team discussions.
A good talk, therefore, starts with the right question!
How do I formulate strong open questions?
For a talk to reach its full potential, questions should:
- Encourage reflection: Instead of “Was the meeting helpful?” ask, “What specifically helped you in the meeting, and what could be improved?”
- Focus on concrete experiences: “When did we work particularly well as a team? What contributed to that?”
- Be solution-oriented: “How can we make our meetings more effective so that everyone feels included?”
- Allow for different perspectives: “What situations show us that we function well as a team?”
Using W-questions (What, How, When, Why, For what purpose) is especially effective, as they encourage more detailed responses.
From Problem to Solution – Finding the Right Balance
A key challenge is finding the right balance between questions that are too vague and those that are overly detailed. This is especially important for sensitive topics like communication, agreements, or conflict resolution, where the wording determines whether the discussion is productive or goes in circles.
An example from our Meetup:
🛑 Too general: “How do you say no?”
✅ Better: “Is there an unspoken expectation that makes you say yes despite lacking the resources?”
✅ Even more precise: “What prevents you from saying no, even when you feel you don’t have the capacity?”
These questions show that it’s not just about describing behavior but also about understanding the underlying structures and mechanisms.
Discussion and Your Questions
Even before the Meetup and during the session, many exciting questions emerged. Here are the key topics and our answers:
1. How can I actively engage all team members so that everyone participates?
- Prepare three strong open questions – this provides structure and confidence.
- Embrace silence – reflection takes time, and meaningful answers don’t come instantly.
- Use introductory questions to create a relaxed atmosphere.
- Foster a culture of sharing by offering the first impulse yourself.
2. My employees give vague answers during preparation – how can I improve this?
- Follow up during the talk: If responses are unclear, ask specifically: “Can you give a concrete example?”
- Ask questions in stages: Start general, then go deeper:
1️⃣ How would you describe teamwork overall?
2️⃣ Are there specific situations where you face challenges?
3️⃣ What would need to change in those situations to improve collaboration? - Use peer feedback: Have employees discuss their answers in small groups first and then present their results together.
3. How do I find the right balance between being too superficial and too in-depth?
The right balance depends on whether the questions truly help to understand the situation or perspectives and lead to solutions. This means:
- Start with an open, general question to get a feel for the topic.
- If the answer remains too superficial, ask follow-up questions to uncover causes and context.
- If responses become too detailed and drift from the core issue, steer the conversation back to the essentials.
The goal is to keep asking—not too shallow, not too deep—until the root of the issue is clear and solutions can be built upon it.
Conclusion: Moodtalk Thrives on Good Questions
Our first Meetup showed that good questions are the key to successful talks. They open new perspectives, enable honest reflection, and foster solution-oriented discussions.
Key Takeaways:
- Encourage reflection: “What specifically helped you in the meeting, and what could be improved?”
- Ask concrete questions: “When did we work particularly well as a team? What contributed to that?”
- Think solution-oriented: “How can we make our meetings more effective?”
- Include diverse perspectives: “What situations show us that we function well as a team?”
A Moodtalk is more than just a regular meeting—it’s a space for authentic conversations, valuable insights, and sustainable team improvement. That’s why it’s essential to ask the right questions to support this process.
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