It’s essential to ask many questions in order to really get to know and understand a person. Yet how well we know someone doesn’t completely rely on them. Conversation is a two-way street, so how you ask, listen, and respond to a question is as important as the question itself.
When you’re communicating with someone it’s helpful to ask the question, “Why?”. You can use this when you don’t understand what they’re saying, when you don’t agree with them, or when you want them to expand. Utilize the “Why?” so that it requires the other person to elaborate and search more deeply into their own thoughts, beliefs, and opinions.
By utilizing the question, “Why”, you aren’t assuming that you already know or understand their position. Instead, you’re showing curiosity and respect because you want to learn more and the reasoning behind it. If you don’t try to understand their point of view or why they believe it, then you won’t be able to have a genuine discussion. When both sides of a conversation are able to state their beliefs, as well as why they believe it, then it’s possible to begin to accept and respect one another.