Lesson 17 - USE SEARCH TALK

"Don't be afraid to ask dumb questions. They're easier to handle than dumb mistakes."

 

Search talk explores, speculates, and questions. The purpose of using search talk is to gain information. If you greet someone by saying, "Hi, how are you?" this is typically not a search talk question. In most cases you are not really asking the state of this person's health. It is a way of recognizing another's presence. It is a greeting not a query. You don't really expect a run down of this person's physical ailments. On the other hand, when you visit a medical doctor and he or she asks, "How are you." this is typically a search talk question, because your doctor wants information to make a medical diagnosis of your physical condition.

Another example: You say to one of your co-workers, "I wonder if Joe is going to be late to work again today." Is your purpose in asking this just to make conversation? Or, are you speculating as to who will have to work overtime until Joe arrives. If you are just making conversation, it's small talk. If you are getting information for decision making or problem solving, it's search talk.

Applications of the search talk method:
Boss: "You could have been more specific in answering that customer's question."
Receptionist: "In case I get someone else who asks me that, what else might I add?

Customer: "What kind of computer should I buy for home use?
Salesperson: "May I ask you a few questions as to what you would like it to do for you?"

Job Interviewer: "This is the end of our interview. Do you have any questions you would like to ask?"
Job Applicant: "How soon do you expect to make your decision on the person you will hire?"

Teacher: "You didn't do well on your math quiz.
Student: "Do you have any suggestions as to how I can get some extra help on the material from the last assignment."

Write a few search talk questions relevant to the following situation.

You are a candidate running in the primary elections for president of the U.S. You are coming to Utah to speak to various groups in an effort to drum up support of your nomination. You know very little about the state, the people and the culture. One of your speeches will be in Tooele, Utah.
Make as list of the search talk questions you might want answers for before you make your speech.

(Question suggestion: How in they pronounce the name of the town? To residents it's "Too-ill- a.")

To Lesson 18

To Menu Page