The Impact of Asking Questions: A Superpower in Marketing, Leadership, and Life

One of the most underrated skills in product marketing isn’t crafting the perfect pitch or analyzing market trends—it’s asking the right questions.

As a product marketing executive, I’ve seen how a well-placed question can unlock insights that no market data dashboard could. But this ability doesn’t just make you a better marketer; it makes you a better parent and a more effective leader.

Let’s break it down.

Getting to the Root of Problems as Product Marketers

Every great product marketing strategy starts with curiosity. The more we ask, the more we learn—and the more impactful our messaging, positioning, and strategies become.

And Product Marketing is, at its core, about understanding—your customers, your competitors, your product, and your market. The best PMMs aren’t the ones with all the answers; they’re the ones who ask the best questions.

Curiosity isn’t just a soft skill in product marketing; it’s a strategic advantage. Here’s why:

Asking Customers: "What problem are you really trying to solve?"

Customers don’t buy features; they buy solutions to their problems. But the challenge is that customers don’t always (read: never) articulate their needs clearly. Fun, right? That’s where great product marketers shine—by digging deeper.

• A customer might say, "I need a faster checkout process." But the real problem might be cart abandonment due to hidden costs or a lack of preferred payment options.

• Or they might say, "I want better reporting tools." But what they really need is insights that help them prove ROI to their CFO.

By continually asking why and pushing beyond surface-level responses, product marketers uncover the true motivations behind purchasing decisions. This insight leads to better messaging, positioning, and ultimately, more compelling value propositions.

Asking Sales Teams: "What objections do you hear the most?"

Sales teams are on the front lines, having real conversations with prospects every day. If a product marketer isn’t regularly talking to sales, they’re missing out on a goldmine of information.

• Are prospects worried about cost? Maybe the messaging needs to emphasize long-term value and ROI over price.

• Are they skeptical about integration complexity? The product team might need to refine documentation or perhaps you need to bring professional services into conversations earlier.

• Are they hesitant about switching from a competitor? Competitive intelligence can help craft strong differentiation messaging.

By asking questions and actively listening to sales teams, product marketers can refine positioning, craft better objection-handling narratives, and equip sales with the tools they need to close deals.

Asking Product Teams: "Why did we prioritize this feature over another?"

Product marketing sits at the intersection of customer needs and product innovation. To effectively bridge this gap, PMMs need to understand why product decisions are made.

• Is this feature prioritized because customers demanded it? If so, how can we amplify that story in marketing materials?

• Is it a differentiator against competitors? Then, how do we make sure prospects see its unique value?

• Is it a strategic move based on future market trends? If yes, how do we educate buyers about its long-term significance?

Asking questions about product decisions ensures that marketing efforts align with the company’s broader strategy, making sure messaging is both accurate and compelling.

Curiosity Fuels Impactful Marketing

Great product marketing isn’t about just pushing a message; it’s about uncovering the right message for the right person at the right time. And that starts with asking better questions.

The more we ask, the deeper we understand. The deeper we understand, the more impactful our positioning, messaging, and go-to-market strategies become.

Product marketers who master the art of questioning don’t just market products. They build narratives, drive adoption, and create demand.

Building Stronger Connections as Parents 

As a mother to a seven-year-old daughter, I’ve learned that asking questions isn’t just for work—it’s a superpower in parenting, too. The way we engage with our children shapes how they see the world, how they express themselves, and how deeply they connect with us.

The difference between a surface-level conversation and a meaningful one often comes down to how we phrase our questions. Small tweaks can lead to deeper insights, stronger relationships, and better critical thinking skills in our kids.

The classic "How was your day?" often gets a one-word response: "Fine." "Good." "Okay." 

Sounds familiar, right? Not exactly a great conversation starter.

When we shift the question to something more specific—like “What was the best part of your day?” or “What’s something that made you smile today?”—we encourage our kids to reflect, relive a positive moment, and share something meaningful.

And if they had a tough day? Asking “What was the hardest part of your day?” gives them the space to process emotions without feeling pressured to give a generic answer.

By asking open-ended questions, we help children analyze, imagine, and articulate their thoughts—valuable skills that will serve them for life. And great practice for us product marketers! 

The way we phrase our questions encourages deeper thinking, builds trust, and creates opportunities for real conversations. When we ask better questions, we don’t just get better answers—we build stronger connections.

• Our kids feel heard. Thoughtful questions show we’re genuinely interested in their thoughts and experiences.

• They develop emotional intelligence. Reflecting on feelings and decisions helps kids understand themselves and others.

• It fosters curiosity. The more we encourage kids to think critically and creatively, the more they ask their own questions.

Strengthening Relationships as a Colleague & Leader

In the workplace, too, the simple act of asking shows that you care, that you value your team’s input, and that you’re willing to listen. That builds trust—and trust builds great teams.

Workplace relationships thrive on communication, trust, and empathy. But too often, we operate on assumptions rather than inquiry. We assume we know 

• why a project is delayed; 

• why a colleague is disengaged; or 

• what someone else is thinking

—without ever asking… 

The best collaborators are the ones who ask thoughtful questions. Curiosity fosters clarity, reduces misunderstandings, and strengthens professional bonds. Here are some practices I’ve picked up: 

1. Ask What Obstacles Got in the Way

When deadlines slip, frustration can set in. It’s easy to assume that a project is late because someone wasn’t working fast enough, didn’t prioritize correctly, or dropped the ball. But those assumptions are rarely the full story.

Rather than assigning blame, a better approach is to ask:

• “What challenges came up that we didn’t anticipate?”

• “Is there anything blocking progress that I can help with?”

• “What would have made this process smoother?”

By shifting from blame to curiosity, you create an environment: 

✅ People feel supported and willing to open up about real obstacles—whether it’s resource constraints, shifting priorities, or unforeseen technical issues. 

✅ You problem solve faster, rather than finger-pointing, ultimately making teams more productive and collaborative.

1. Ask What’s Been on Their Plate Lately

If a colleague seems withdrawn, distracted, or unresponsive, it’s easy to assume they’re disengaged or uninterested. But that perception might be completely off.

Maybe they’re overloaded with work. But maybe they’re navigating personal challenges. Maybe they don’t feel heard in meetings. It could be a myriad of things. 

A simple question like:

• “I’ve noticed you’ve been quieter than usual—everything okay?”

• “What’s been taking up most of your time lately?”

• “How can I support you right now?”

These questions show you’re paying attention, that you care, and that you’re willing to help. Often, just being asked creates an opening for honest dialogue—and sometimes, that’s exactly what someone needs to re-engage.

By asking empathetic questions, you can: 

✅ Create psychological safety, helping your team feel comfortable sharing concerns instead of hiding them. 

✅ Offer targeted support, instead of just demanding results, so you can help remove barriers and set your team up for success.

💡 Pro Tip: Follow up with “What would help you move forward?” to encourage proactive problem-solving.

As a manager, asking questions also shifts leadership from command-and-control to empowerment-and-collaboration. It encourages team members to think critically, take ownership, and find their own solutions—all while knowing they have support. 

Here’s what that could look like: 

1. Ask What They Think Would Work Best

A directive approach (“Here’s what you should do”) assumes that as a manager, you always have the right answer. But in reality, your team often has valuable insights you may not have considered. 

By asking “What do you think would work best?”, you:

✅ Encourage critical thinking, empowering your team to analyze problems and weigh different solutions themselves. 

✅ Foster ownership, getting your team members involved in decision-making and helping them feel more responsible for the outcome.

Trust Is Built Through Questions

The simple act of asking instead of assuming creates a culture of openness and mutual respect.

• People feel valued when you take the time to understand their challenges and viewpoints.

• Teams become more effective because they address real issues rather than surface-level assumptions.

• Trust deepens because colleagues know they can count on each other to listen and support rather than judge.

Just like at home, the best workplace relationships are built not on certainty, but on curiosity. The more we ask, the more we learn—and the stronger our teams become.

Curiosity Is the Ultimate Competitive Advantage

Whether you’re a product marketer, team leader, parent or all of the above, I’ve learned that the ability to ask thoughtful, open-ended, and strategic questions is what separates good from great. It leads to better conversations, better decisions, and ultimately, better outcomes.

So next time you feel the urge to make a statement, pause. Turn it into a question instead. 

Because the people who ask the best questions? They’re the ones who learn the most, grow the fastest, and build the strongest relationships—at work and at home.

What’s the best question you’ve ever been asked? Drop it in the comments!