Deepen friendships and engagement
By Jim LaDoux
Every encounter with other people is an opportunity to learn more about them - their backgrounds, their gifts, their motivations, their dreams, and their challenges. As part of my everyday reinvention activities, I often challenge myself to learn something new about my wife, my kids, my co-workers, my friends, and the people I interact with in person, by phone, via text, by email or by Zoom. It forces me to move beyond my comfort zone as well as to slow down and to be more people-oriented rather than focusing on the next project on my checklist. I never regret these encounters because they lead to new friendships, new insights, and new ideas.
Consider asking one or more of the questions below to at least five people this week and make note of what you learned, and what surprised you about the encounter. Then ask yourself, "What would happen if I did this every week?"
Consider asking one or more of the questions below to at least five people this week and make note of what you learned, and what surprised you about the encounter. Then ask yourself, "What would happen if I did this every week?"
SAMPLE QUESTIONS TO ASK
- What's the best thing that's happened to you this week?
- What are you looking forward to this week?
- What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
- When's your birthday? How do you usually celebrate it?
- What do you like to talk with others about? Which topics do you avoid?
- What groups, teams, or organizations are you part of?
- Where do you like to go out for dinner?
- How did you end up in this role, line of work, neighborhood, church, etc.?
- What are some causes you support?
- What skill would you like to develop this year?
- Is there a movie or TV series you've watched recently that you'd recommend?
- How do you like to spend your vacations?
- What words of advice would you give to others who seek to live well?
- Do you have any sports teams you like to watch and cheer on?
- If you were to describe the ideal day/job/place to live, what would that look like for you?
QUESTIONS | APPLICATIONS
- When's the last time you struck up a conversation with another person?
- Do you usually initiate conversations with new people or wait for others to do so?
- Of the people you already know, who would you like to spend more time with?
RECENT
10 tips for becoming a storytelling Church
November 7th, 2024
The Relational Pastor
October 16th, 2024
Improve your emotional intelligence with a plan
October 8th, 2024
Leading Faithful Innovation
September 25th, 2024
A Spirituality of Living
May 15th, 2024
APR - 50 focused coaching questions
May 2nd, 2024
The Innovative Church
April 24th, 2024
Teams That Thrive
April 17th, 2024
Everything Isn't Terrible
April 9th, 2024
6 shifts churches need to navigate
April 3rd, 2024
Checklists for onboarding members and leaders
March 27th, 2024
The Elevation Approach
March 26th, 2024
The Art of Gathering
March 13th, 2024
The Art of Noticing (Part 2)
March 12th, 2024
Managing Leadership Anxiety
March 11th, 2024
Facilitate short, stand-up meetings
March 10th, 2024
Use scripts to help people share their stories
March 6th, 2024
Deepen friendships and engagement
February 28th, 2024
Sabbath, finding rhythms of rest
February 21st, 2024
The Art of Noticing (Part 1)
February 12th, 2024
ARCHIVE
2024
January
February
March
April
September
2023
July
August
September
October
November
2022
January
Take time to assess your lifeUse sprints to move fasterMeasure what mattersAsk your friends WATER questionsQuestions to ask your teamIs your church is stuck?4 questions to ask faith mentorsDevelop active listening skills2 ways to make better decisionsMy 5 daily questionsHelping people changeCreate daily Sabbath momentsReframe your futureReframe your church's future
February
Write better emailsA blueprint for forming faithCreate safe space for clientsBecoming a virtual organization5 barriers to extending hospitalityDevelop your coaching presence5 phrases to use when coachingCreate ministry road mapsHelp clients ask better questionsIndicators of spiritual maturity10 Giving metrics to review annually
No Comments