“What do you think?”

 “Many a man would rather you heard his story than granted his request,” wrote Philip Stanhope, the Fourth Earl of Chesterfield. 

Make those around you feel heard by asking the superb question: What do you think? You will open up a floodgate and become a sponge soaking up information. 

Then listen. Listen aggressively. Listen attentively. Listen to the silence. Listen with your eyes. Listen! You may not like what you hear when you ask the question. That's the risk you take. Just remember the seeds of progress are rooted in the unhappy person. It's the pebble in the shoe that causes you to take notice. When to use the question Whenever you are discussing a dilemma or planning a course of future action. After you have shared your views or presented a proposal. When someone comes to you with a problem.

Alternative versions of the question “I value your opinion. Can I get your reaction to this?” “Would you be willing to share your views?” Follow-up questions “What has influenced your thinking about this the most?” “Are there any other perspectives I ought to be aware of?"

Sobel, Andrew; Panas, Jerold (2012-01-05). Power Questions: Build Relationships, Win New Business, and Influence Others (p. 16). Wiley. Kindle Edition.