The Essentials: Asking Purposeful Questions

The Essentials: Asking Purposeful Questions

Author: Harvard Business Review March 25, 2025 Duration: 40:43
Purposeful questions do more than clarify details—they reveal how you think and demonstrate leadership potential. Amy Gallo talks with a program manager looking to strengthen her executive presence and question-asking skills. Harvard Business School professor Alison Wood Brooks joins them to offer research-backed guidance on eliciting useful responses, building credibility through questions, and adapting to different conversational settings.

From the newsroom of the Harvard Business Review comes Women at Work, a conversation grounded in the daily realities of professional life. Hosted by HBR editors Amy Bernstein, Amy Gallo, and Emily Caulfield, this podcast moves beyond abstract theory to tackle the specific, often frustrating challenges women navigate in their careers. Each episode picks apart a knotty problem-like confronting a persistent wage gap, handling frequent interruptions in meetings, or managing disproportionate office housework-with a focus on practical strategies. The hosts bring in researchers, leadership coaches, and seasoned executives who offer evidence-based advice and share their own hard-won insights. Listening feels like joining a candid discussion among knowledgeable colleagues who aren’t afraid to name the awkward stuff. You’ll find a blend of personal stories, tactical guidance, and deeper analysis about systemic issues, all aimed at helping you strengthen your position and advance your ambitions. It’s a resource for anyone looking to build a more effective and equitable career, one concrete step at a time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Women at Work
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