Forced-Choice Questions

Feeling Trapped by Forced-Option Questions From Your Executive Team?

The old “Have you stopped beating your spouse?” dilemma captures this problem well:  “Yes or no?” Either way you answer, you’re in...

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loaded question

3 Ways to “Unload” a Loaded Question

Let’s assume an angry reporter doesn’t confront you every day to ask why your organization has committed some scam or why you’re improperly...

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know-it-all

How to Deal With an Obnoxious Know-It-All

How to manage an obnoxious employee or vendor? Glad you asked—and I know you’re “asking for a friend” because no one wants to admit they’ve...

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ramble

Bring the Rambling Show-Off to a Stop

You run into ramblers everywhere: On a Zoom webinar. In the board room. In your training class. The reasons vary: They have extensive experience....

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hypothetical question

How to Keep Hypotheticals From Burying You

Suppose you’re in a staff meeting or rolling out a new policy in an all-hands meeting, and Rani, an employee, poses this question to you: “You...

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advisory board

Do You Need a Personal “Advisory Board” as a Leader?

Not a board of directors. Not a mentor. But do you need a team of trusted advisors as a sounding board to help you grow your leadership skills?...

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