What do open-ended questions encourage during a conversation?

Open-ended questions are designed to invite detailed responses and encourage individuals to elaborate on their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Unlike closed questions that often limit responses to simple affirmations or negations, open-ended questions prompt the responder to provide broader insights and convey their opinions in greater depth. This facilitates a more engaging and meaningful conversation, as it allows for the exploration of ideas and perspectives.

For example, when someone is asked, "What do you think about our new product line?" it opens up the opportunity for the individual to share their thoughts, suggest improvements, or provide feedback, fostering a valuable dialogue. This approach is instrumental in building relationships and gaining a deeper understanding of the topic being discussed, in contrast to responses that would only require a list of options or a quick summary.