Managers are often encouraged to strengthen working relationships by taking an interest in the personal wellbeing of team members. However, for this approach to be successful a manager needs to not only ask questions but also spend time listening to the answers. Too often questions are asked with very little attention paid to the responses. Team members are quick to recognize this type of behaviour and the result is far more damaging than if you had never asked at all. Don't ask unless you've got the time to listen!