A Trick I Learned from Tony Robbins: Ask Good Questions


I’m a big fan of Tony Robbins.

If you don’t know who he is you should educate yourself about this #1 New York Times best-selling author, philanthropist, life coach, and self-help guru. The impact he’s had on people around the world goes without saying; as for his influence on me, I couldn’t fit it all in one blog post!

But I do want to share one thing I learned from him that I’ve turned into a habit that has consistently helped me create the foundation to build dynamic relationships. It’s a game-changer! And it’s pretty simple: when you engage in conversations, be sure to ask good questions.

I would like to say it’s much more complicated than that—but frankly, it’s not.

What Happens When You Ask Good Questions

Recently I was working with a client, Jermaine. He was feeling “stuck” both professionally and personally. I had suggested he follow this advice, which he subsequently incorporated into his repertoire.

What happened? Not only did asking good questions dramatically enhance his discussions while networking, but it also improved his relationships with others, which has led to him meeting some amazing people.

By incorporating this habit and getting in the right mindset, Jermaine exponentially grew his connections not just in quantity, but more importantly, in the quality of people he started getting introduced to. The domino effect of this has impacted his life in many ways! He experienced an increase in sales, better business opportunities, more stimulating conversations, and ultimately he became more confident and happier.

“Quality questions create a quality life. Successful people ask better questions, and as a result, they get better answers.”

Tony Robbins

Try it yourself and I promise it will lead to great results within your relationships! It may seem oversimplified, but in fact, it’s quite the contrary. And I suggest you implement this when engaging with others.

But don’t ask superficial or only yes or no questions like, “Can you believe all this rain we’re getting?” Instead, use a great conversation starter that will elicit more thought and encourage a more profound discussion. The goal is to tap into someone’s “triggers” or “hot points”, which helps you develop a deeper connection as you increase your spheres of influence.

Good Questions to Ask

What are some good questions to ask? Here are a few suggestions I had given Jermaine as he had the opportunity to take part in meaningful conversations with others:

  • What makes you laugh?
  • What makes you forget to eat lunch?
  • What is the biggest turning point in your life?
  • What are you passionate about?
  • What is one superpower you’d like to have and how would you use it?

So, which question do YOU think Jermaine had the most success with? Let me know your thoughts! For even more examples you can check out additional conversation starters in this article.

As you continue your networking journey, I encourage you to see what Tony Robbins has to offer. Check out his resources available here which ranges from free business content training and insightful podcasts to quick assessment quizzes that will help you learn more about yourself, and much more!

Become a NetWorkWise Certified Professional (NWW-CP)

Learning how to start a conversation and ask good questions that will lead to meaningful discussions is something we cover extensively in our certification course. If you’re searching for a job or looking to build substantial business contacts, or want to improve your relationships with colleagues and clients or other like-minded individuals, then you need to enroll in our certification program!

This course teaches you practical networking strategies and techniques you can implement now to leverage relationships you already have and make new connections with influential individuals who will impact your career and success.

Once complete, you receive credentials validating you as a networking expert who truly understands how to build relationships that matter. Sign up today and become a NetWorkWise Certified Professional (NWW-CP)! You will soon see the rewards of creating long-lasting and meaningful connections and the improvements it will bring to all facets of your life.