Improve your communication by asking open questions

Liz Makin Author

Jun 30, 2026 |

Do you ever think about the questions you ask? This article looks at improving your communication by asking open questions.

One of the key elements of communication and building relationships is asking questions. There are many other aspects to communication as well, including clarity, active listening, empathy, building rapport, body language, considering the other person's perspective, trust, openness, honesty and encouraging feedback.

One of the best type of questions to ask to improve communication by opening up a conversation and building rapport is an open question. 

An open question invites longer, more elaborate and explanatory answers. 

Examples of open questions are:

-How do you feel about your new job?

-What happened in the meeting today?

-How do you think we should deal with our current unfavourable financial situation?

Open questions often start with such words as What, Where, Who, How, Why, When, Describe and Explain. 

Open questions are useful to encourage conversation, thought and creativity, to understand the detail of what happened, events and circumstances, to understand thoughts and feelings, to encourage decision making, to empower others and to gain feedback. 

For open questions to be the most effective you need to ensure you allow sufficient time for the conversation, as asking someone an open question and then cutting them off will be counter productive. 

Be very careful when using Why? questions as they can make the other person feel very defensive and needing to justify themselves.

How can you include more open questions in your conversations?

Do you want to explore more about communication?

If you want practical tips and strategies to help you more effectively communicate and build good relationships in your life and at work our communication online courses are for you.

Take a look at our communication online courses by clicking on the links below:

Communication for life: how to be a better communicator

Communication for business owners, directors & managers

Conflict management for life & work

How to deal with difficult people in life & work

All of the courses are practical and action oriented, with lots of straightforward tools, tips and strategies on each topic. You can learn at your own pace, at any time and on any device to suit your schedule. The courses have been created by Liz Makin and watched by over 50,000 students worldwide.

You can take a look at our range of online personal development courses and bundles, including current special offers, at https://onlinecourses.makinithappen.co.uk

Categories: : Communication, Online courses, Personal development, Soft skills