A leading question, usually subtly, points the respondent’s answer in a certain direction.

Asking an employee, ‘How are you getting on with the new finance system?’ This question prompts the person to question how they are managing with a new system at work. In a very subtle way it raises the prospect that maybe they are not finding the new system so good.

‘Tell me how you’re getting on with the new finance system’ is a less leading question – the question does not require any judgement to be made and therefore does not imply that there may be something wrong with the new system.

Children are particularly susceptible to leading questions and are more likely to take the lead for an answer from an adult.  Something simple like, ‘Did you have a good day at school?’ points the child towards thinking about good things that happened at school.  By asking, ‘How was school today?’ you are not asking for any judgement about how good or bad the day has been and you are more likely to get a more balanced, accurate answer.   This can shape the rest of the conversation, the next question may be, ‘What did you do at school?’  – the answer to this may vary based on the first question you asked – good things or just things.