Using softeners is a great way to create trust and ilicit answers to important questions that you might have difficulty getting answers to otherwise.

Letting someone know where you are going with a persoanl question can help them understand why you need the answer and give them the freedome to answer it in a way that will provide you what you need and still maintain a sense of privace.

How do we use GROW in our initial conversation with students?

Have you used softeners before and how did it work out?

The repharasing of a "why" is so important to maintain a positive phone call!

This could be a different way of asking: Why do you want to come to CCU-- digging deeper on what the real reason they are attracted to CCU is

This is a new way to ask the usual question, "How are you doing?"  It might ilicit a different kind of response.

Knowing when to use an open vs a closed question in terms of controlling the conversation was extremely helpful to learn! Especially when sometimes you have students who want to tell you their life story and although may be interesting or may be giving you a lot of good info about themselves--it can get carried away and lose the purpose of the initial interview.

How does non-verbal communication affect on how we ask questions?

I enjoyed learning about limiting the why question and replacing it with what - very effective.