Hi-Def or Low-Def: How to answer questions at work

Answering questions is one of the keys to being successful at work.  What most people don’t realize is that it is the amount of information to use that is important.  You need to use the appropriate level of detail with whom you are speaking.  Think of the level of detail as being picture resolution.  The high definition answer provides more background and information.  The low definition answer is the straightforward simple answer.  When a person at work asks you a question, you need to assess quickly if he wants the high def answer or the simple and succinct, low def answer.

Low-Def for Higher Ups

An easy way to know what level of detail to use is to determine if the person is a peer.  Your peers are interested in all the obstacles you’ve had to overcome and expect a high def answer.  A person who is not a peer is usually higher up than you in the company.  Generally, the higher the person is in the company, the less detail and more summary low-def information you should provide.

You may use a low-def answer and get a follow –up question, but answer with only a little bit more detail.  People usually ask questions because they are interested.  If there is additional follow up questions, then go ahead and use a hi-def answer.  The person asking the question needs more information.  You want this person to walk away with the answer he needed and thinking to himself that you know exactly what you are talking about.

Hi-Def Dangers

One of the dangers of going into a hi-def level of detail is that you get off the subject of what the person wants to know.  That’s the main reason I avoid going into a hi-def answer with anyone other than my peers or boss.  I may be in hi-def mode explaining all the challenges I had with a supplier that put us behind schedule.. and zing.. I’ve dug myself into a hole that it is going to take even more detailed answers to explain.   The summary answer of ‘we were having problems with a supplier, but got those worked out quickly, and now are back on schedule’ stays on the subject and is not as open to question.  Your answer should demonstrate that you have the situation under control and upper management intervention is not needed.

Tips to answer questions:

• Summarize information for higher ups
• Avoid going off subject when answering questions
• Answer the question and stop talking
• Strive to answer the next question before a person asks
• Use a higher level of detail with peers and supervisor
• Use a higher level of detail when asking for help

Think about the people who ask you questions – do they need a hi-def or low-def answer? Mastering the way that you answer questions will improve your reputation at work.