Looking to build deeper connections with people? An easy way to do this is to ask the right questions.

When you ask someone questions, it gives you the opportunity to really get to know them. It also shows you are interested in getting to know them, which can be quite rare in this day and age.

So, what questions should you be asking to develop those strong, deep connections? Below, you’ll find some of the best questions to ask someone if you want to forge a deeper connection with them.

Ask Them About Their Childhood

To have a deeper connection with someone, you need to know what makes them tick. This means finding out more about their childhood experiences.

You could ask a range of questions to learn more about their childhood such as:

“What was your favorite toy growing up?”

“What is the first memory you remember as a child?”

“Which parent did you feel closest to and why?”

These questions reveal a little more about their childhood experience and how it shaped them into the person they are today. People generally like to reminisce about their past, so they’ll also appreciate the interest you’re showing.

Other Questions to Ask

“If you could go back in time, what piece of advice would you give yourself?”

This isn’t just a great question for you to get to know the other person better. It also helps them assess their life and what they’ve learned. This can be great in terms of personal development.

When we think about the things we have gone through and the lessons they have taught us, it provides us with newfound wisdom.

This question can also surprisingly help us to accept situations and the things that have happened to us.

“If you could learn a new skill, what would it be?”

What are their passions and how would they like to use them? What skills do they wish they had to help them live a more passionate life?

With this question and its obviously easy follow-ups, you’ll get to discover more about what the person truly wants in life. You’ll learn more about their personality and you may even find you wish you had the same skills.

After they’ve revealed what skill they would learn, you could even discuss whether it’s possible to learn it now. This would make them happier, as well as strengthen the connection between you. Encouraging someone to be the best person they can be is part of having a deeper connection.

“What is one thing you don’t share with people?” 

You’ll need to have a degree of trust established already with them to ask this question. It can really help to build on that trust, as well as strengthen the relationship you have together. Sharing secrets, provided you keep them, is what really cements a deeper, stronger connection.

These are just a very small number of questions you can ask someone to build a deeper connection. It’s about moving away from the small talk and really getting to know the other person. So, if you’re looking to develop a deep connection, start with the questions above.