The Subtle Art of Asking the Second Question
In 1:1s, whether with my reports or on the rare occasion with my own lead, I’ve noticed something: the safe answer.
You know the one. It’s in response to “How are you doing?” It’s polite. Acceptable. Technically honest — yet designed to sidestep the real truth. I’ve given that answer myself more times than I can count.
The thing is, it’s a perfectly fine question, but it’s also incredibly easy to answer without answering. Over time, once the relationship is built and trust is there, you can often skip straight to the second question. Especially when you can feel that something’s off.
My go-to? A simple, “OK… so how are you really doing?”
It’s not wildly different from the first question, but it carries weight. It signals that you’re paying attention, that you see past the surface, and that you actually care enough to ask again. Often, that’s when a short, guarded answer turns into a 5–10 minute conversation.
It’s also a handy tool when you can sense there’s more to the story, but you don’t yet know enough to ask something more direct.
I’ve been on the other side of it too. My lead has caught me in that safe-answer moment and asked the second question. Sometimes, to my frustration, because those are usually the moments I want to keep my cards close. But in hindsight, those were also the moments I needed that second question most.
Sometimes the first question opens the door.
The second question invites someone to step through it.
Next time: How to Listen Without Fixing