Did I answer your question?

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It’s such a simple phrase, yet a powerful tool that can transform the way we communicate. Have you ever attended a meeting or workshop where you asked a question, but walked away feeling dismissed, misunderstood, or ignored?

Sometimes, the disconnect happens because the person doesn’t understand what we were truly asking. Other times, we may not have asked our question clearly. And then there are moments when the person simply doesn’t know the answer and instead of admitting that, they deflect, redirect, or give a vague response.

But yesterday, I observed something refreshing. A presenter thoughtfully responded to each question and then followed up with, “Did that answer your question?” That one small question created space for clarity, understanding and mutual respect. 

It reminded me how impactful it can be to integrate this habit into our daily lives, with our spouses, children, coworkers and neighbors. When we pause to check in, we show that we value the other person’s voice and want to ensure real communication is happening, not just speaking, but connecting.

Of course, we always have to ensure that our tone doesn’t come across as condescending. Even the best intentions can be misunderstood, and our most carefully planned efforts can fall short if we overlook tone and nonverbal cues. Communication is more than what we say, it’s how we say it.

One little question, thoughtfully presented, can yield transformative results.