Good Questions to Ask Guest Speakers
Thoughtful questions to ask guest speakers that demonstrate engagement, show respect for their expertise, and create meaningful dialogue for all attendees.
1What inspired you to pursue your current career path?
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What inspired you to pursue your current career path?
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Why this works
Reveals their personal motivation and journey, providing insight into their passion and the factors that shaped their professional decisions.
2What has been the most challenging aspect of your work?
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What has been the most challenging aspect of your work?
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Why this works
Shows respect for their expertise while revealing the real difficulties they face, making their success more relatable and inspiring.
3How do you stay current with developments in your field?
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How do you stay current with developments in your field?
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Why this works
Demonstrates interest in their professional development and reveals their approach to continuous learning and staying relevant.
4What advice would you give to someone starting in your industry?
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What advice would you give to someone starting in your industry?
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Why this works
Provides valuable insights for the audience while showing respect for their experience and wisdom in guiding others.
5What's something about your work that most people don't understand?
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What's something about your work that most people don't understand?
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Why this works
Reveals misconceptions about their field and helps the audience understand the reality of their profession beyond common assumptions.
6How do you handle failure or setbacks in your career?
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How do you handle failure or setbacks in your career?
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Why this works
Shows vulnerability and provides valuable lessons about resilience, making their success more relatable and inspiring.
7What trends do you see emerging in your industry?
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What trends do you see emerging in your industry?
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Why this works
Reveals their forward-thinking perspective and provides valuable insights about future developments in their field.
8How do you balance your professional and personal life?
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How do you balance your professional and personal life?
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Why this works
Shows interest in their well-being and provides practical advice for maintaining work-life balance in demanding careers.
9What's the most important lesson you've learned in your career?
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What's the most important lesson you've learned in your career?
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Why this works
Reveals their wisdom and provides valuable insights that can benefit others in their professional development.
10How do you approach decision-making in your work?
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How do you approach decision-making in your work?
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Why this works
Shows interest in their thought processes and provides valuable insights into their approach to complex professional decisions.
11What's something you wish you had known when you started your career?
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What's something you wish you had known when you started your career?
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Why this works
Provides valuable hindsight that can help others avoid common mistakes and make better decisions in their own careers.
12How do you handle criticism or negative feedback?
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How do you handle criticism or negative feedback?
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Why this works
Shows interest in their resilience and provides valuable lessons about handling professional challenges and growth.
13What's the most rewarding aspect of your work?
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What's the most rewarding aspect of your work?
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Why this works
Reveals what motivates them and provides insight into the positive aspects of their profession that others might not see.
14How do you approach mentoring or developing others?
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How do you approach mentoring or developing others?
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Why this works
Shows interest in their leadership approach and provides valuable insights into their philosophy of developing talent.
15What's something you're currently working on that excites you?
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What's something you're currently working on that excites you?
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Why this works
Reveals their current interests and projects, showing their ongoing passion and engagement with their work.
16How do you handle the pressure of high-stakes decisions?
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How do you handle the pressure of high-stakes decisions?
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Why this works
Shows interest in their decision-making under pressure and provides valuable insights into their approach to stressful situations.
17What's something you've changed your mind about in your career?
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What's something you've changed your mind about in your career?
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Why this works
Reveals their growth and adaptability, showing how their perspectives have evolved and providing valuable lessons about professional development.
18How do you approach innovation or trying new approaches?
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How do you approach innovation or trying new approaches?
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Why this works
Shows interest in their creative process and provides valuable insights into their approach to innovation and change.
19What's something you're proud of that might not be obvious to others?
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What's something you're proud of that might not be obvious to others?
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Why this works
Reveals hidden achievements and provides insight into what they value most in their work, beyond what's publicly recognized.
20What's your vision for the future of your industry?
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What's your vision for the future of your industry?
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Why this works
Reveals their forward-thinking perspective and provides valuable insights about where their field is heading and what opportunities exist.
Best Practices for Engaging Guest Speakers
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Best Practices
Show Genuine Interest and Respect
Ask questions that demonstrate you've been listening and show genuine interest in their expertise and experiences.
Be Thoughtful and Specific
Avoid generic questions. Ask specific questions that show you've engaged with their presentation and want to learn more.
Consider the Audience
Ask questions that benefit everyone present, not just your personal interests. Think about what others would find valuable.
Question Sequences
The Career Journey
The Future Focus
Common Pitfalls
Don't Ask Questions Already Answered
Listen carefully to their presentation and avoid asking questions they've already addressed. This shows you weren't paying attention.
Avoid Overly Personal Questions
Keep questions professional and appropriate for the setting. Avoid personal questions that might make them uncomfortable.
Don't Dominate the Q&A
Ask one or two thoughtful questions, then let others participate. Don't monopolize the question time.