Instead Of 'How Are You?', You Can Ask These Five Questions

We ask this question with such regularity that most of us pick from a standard set of responses, with very little thought. Our standard responses? Busy. Fine. Okay. Good.

It's time "How are you?" got a makeover. Ask better questions to build stronger relationships

The only reason most of us ask this question is because it would appear impolite not to ask. We usually ask it as a greeting rather than with the intent of actually acquiring information about the other person.

Here are five alternative questions to 'How Are You?' below:

All five are positive – focused either on highlighting the best of the past or inviting the responder to identify a positive future. All five are information-seeking: listen closely, and you will learn something about that person’s life, character, and ideas. All five are initial questions, appropriate for a relatively fast greeting or for sparking a short conversation. And finally, the five questions can’t be answered with a one-word response (Yes, No, Busy, Fine), which invites engagement. Here they are:

1. What was the best part about your day?

2: What work is most exciting you this week?

3: What new ideas are giving you energy lately?

4: Tell me one thing you’ve learned recently that inspired you.

5: What is one thing we could do right now to make this (day, project, event) even better?

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