How to ask questions tip 11 - Say when you need the answer

5 Mar 2025 · 1 min

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1:24

In this short instructional video, the speaker explains why it’s essential to tell the person you’re asking a question when you need a response, especially in written or group contexts. He outlines the problems that arise when a deadline isn’t communicated—answers may come too early, be delayed, or cause unnecessary stress for the team. The speaker then provides concrete phrasing strategies, showing how to state the required timeframe either before or after the question (e.g., “I need this by the end of the week” or “I don’t need an answer right away, but a response by Thursday at noon would be helpful”). By explicitly stating the needed answer time, the asker improves clarity, prioritization, and the likelihood of receiving a timely response.

Chapters

How to ask a question. Tip number 11. Say when you need an answer. When you ask a question, you may or may not need an answer right away. If it's in a conversation, you're probably going to expect an answer as part of the conversation. But if you're asking a team, or if you're asking something by email or in a group setting, you may not need the answer right away. You need to make sure that everybody that you're speaking to is clear when the answer is required. Now, if you don't do this, people may answer a question straight away that you're expecting them to take time over and think about for a while. They may not answer the question right away, even though you need it because it's urgent. They may think it's unimportant and reply to your email in a week. You may also cause stress for your team if you don't give them the timeframe to answer. They may feel they have to do it now and then try and prioritize that against the other work that they are doing. So when you are asking a question, say when you need an answer. How can you do this? Well, you can either say it before the question or say it after the question. For example, hi, I'm looking for something by the end of the week. Can you? And then then ask your question. Or ask your question and say, I don't need an answer right away, but if I could have something by Thursday at midday, that would be very helpful. By saying when you need an answer, it really helps the people you're speaking to or writing to know when they have to respond, and it increases the chances of getting an answer when you need it.