“Be a good listener. Ask questions the other person will enjoy answering.” – Dale Carnegie
The interviews we conduct for our Legacy Film projects are all about asking the right questions. People always ask me about the questions I use in the Legacy Film interviews. The question about the questions! So here’s how it happens:
I carefully select the questions as I prepare for each interview, doing my best to address information people provide in advance (genealogy, special stories they want to be included, etc.). When I’m interviewing an adult, topics I typically cover are the following: family of origin, memories of childhood, early married life & children (if applicable), work, hobbies, faith, and current events. I’ve put a lot of thought and research into the questions I ask, but, inevitably, good questions arise with each unique interview. I try and lean into my own people-skills and natural curiosities when I’m talking with someone. Asking good questions increases a person’s emotional intelligence which leads to the ability to ask more good questions.
I’m also always open to suggestions and on the hunt for good questions and helpful resources for conversation. Here are a few quick asking-the-right-question resources for you as you move into the month of May:
- Date Night – Last week, my husband and I celebrated our wedding anniversary. I searched for some questions we could use at dinner, and I came across these. If you are you are celebrating a simple date night or milestone with someone you love, try something simple like a Q&A to reconnect.
- Remembering How to be Social – I recently attended a business networking event where I was meeting a lot of new people. This got me thinking about how we are all exercising our social muscles after a long year of being around the same people (or no people!). I thought about good questions to ask when we are around people for the first time ever or for the first time in a long time. Even though I still get a bit nervous being in front of the camera, I recorded a short video greeting for my Facebook page which included some simple conversation starters I’ve used. Maybe you will find them helpful too.
- Honoring a Mother or Another Special Person in Your Life – Here’s a gift idea: answer some questions about a special person you want to honor. I created a simple way for you to do that here. Just fill in the blanks. Do it as a gift to yourself . . . or share it with that person if you have the good fortune to have them still around.
Follow me on Facebook where I review books, apps, games, and gifts from time to time that are helpful. Let’s keep striving to ask the right questions.
PS – Speaking of questions: Author Karen May will be doing a live interview with me tonight, Wednesday, April 28 – 7 pm CST on her Instagram page. We’ll be talking about legacy films, good listening, and more.
