Why Asking Better Questions Builds Real Trust
The Heart Of The Conversation
Connection drives every part of this episode. A joke about hydrogen water turns into a talk about recovery, leadership, and family. Chris Tuff shares how hitting rock bottom in alcohol recovery pushed him toward a bigger mission, creating real bonds in rooms filled with titles and tactics. That shift inspired his books, his “tough questions,” and a simple rule, better questions build better careers. When you focus on trust, teams align and sales happen without pressure.
Why Saving Your Asks Works
Chris calls out the instant pitch culture on LinkedIn. A connection request is followed by a script. It pushes people away. His fix is to pause the pitch and ask a question that cuts through small talk. Prompts like “When was the last time you felt pure joy?” help you understand what someone values. Use this at dinner, at work, or with a coworker who stays quiet. Your network becomes a place people want to engage with.
How Connection Shapes Leadership
Younger employees grew up with support, collaboration, and steady feedback. They are not against accountability, they want humanity first. Leaders can build trust through short check-ins that cover life as much as KPIs, handwritten or video thank yous, and simple team rituals. When you start with connection, you earn the right to coach with clarity.
Habits That Build Energy
Chris stays grounded through sauna and cold plunge sessions, rucking with weight, and lifting with a consistent group. He treats discomfort as mental hygiene. He also tracks his “resting joy rate,” noticing moments that spark energy and planning for more of them. That practice shows up at home too. Parenting teens, limiting social media noise, and even taking a family trip with no signal helped them reconnect.
The Power Of Video Texting
Video messages land stronger than written text. Tone and sincerity show up immediately. Thank a teammate, follow up with a prospect, or repair friction. Chris gives executives an assignment, send a short video to the person who changed your path. The replies become some of the most meaningful messages they receive.
Choosing Impact Over Ego
Chris is an identical twin married to an identical twin, a social media pioneer, and a speaker who learned that stages can feel isolating. His shift was moving from hero to catalyst. Help others shine. Build huddles. Use stories and questions to move people forward. Whether you lead a team or raise kids, the framework stays steady. Ask better questions, save your asks, stay active, and let honest moments redirect your day.
