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cover art for E69: Elke Wiss on Asking Better Questions and Getting Better Answers

Life and Lessons by Sean Spooner

E69: Elke Wiss on Asking Better Questions and Getting Better Answers

Season 1, Ep. 69

On this week’s episode, you’re going to hear a conversation I had with Elke Wiss.


Elke is a practical philosopher and a best-selling author.


Her book, How To Know Everything, offers a framework for asking better questions and makes the case for why we should all improve our question-asking skills.


In the next hour, you’re going to learn:


  • The six fundamental errors we all make when it comes to effective question asking, and how to avoid them 


  • Why creating detachment between your opinions and your identity can help you not only ask better questions, but become a better conversationalist


  • Why we shouldn’t look to formal education, politics, journalism, or police interview techniques to sharpen our ability to ask precise questions


  • The reason it’s so important to ask YOURSELF better questions, and a really practical exercise you can make use of to do just that.


And so much more.


This was always going to be an interesting one, sitting down and asking questions to somebody who is, to all intents and purposes, a professional question asker.


But I learned a lot from Elke around a subject that is grossly undervalued, and yet one that holds huge upside if only we get it right.


I’m sure you’re going to learn a lot as well.



Elke Wiss


How To Know Everything on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Know-Everything-questions-answers/dp/1787467686


Online: https://www.denksmederij.nl/



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