The ‘Questions for Closeness’ question bank includes thirty-six questions developed by psychologists and researchers designed to develop close bonds between people.
You will now try an exercise using some of these questions, practising active listening. You will be put into a breakout room with two other people in the session. There are three roles: speaker, listener and observer. Quickly decide who will take each role. Then choose a question from the list: one person answers it, one person actively listens, and the other person observes. The speaker can speak for up to 3 minutes. Afterwards, the observer should give feedback on what the listener did well/can improve and what the speaker did well/can improve, and the listener and speaker should give feedback. Then you each swap roles.
It is important that you each get an opportunity to share. If you feel uncomfortable, you can skip or miss a question. You do not have to explain why.
1.Before making a telephone call, do you ever rehearse what you are going to say and why?
2.Tell your life story to the other person in as much detail as you can in 3 minutes.
3.What in your life are you most grateful for?
4.Name three things you and the other person may have in common. Why did you pick those?
5.What does friendship mean to you?
6.Given the choice of anyone in the world past or present to invite round for dinner, who would it be and why? (choose up to 3 people).
Download the full Questions for Closeness question bank, and the rest of the presentation, here.