Which open-ended question is included among the board meeting starters?

• A. What is the purpose of this meeting?
• B. What would you like to discuss today, so that we could focus on you and what you might be looking for?
• C. Do you agree with the agenda?
• D. How soon can we finalize decisions?

Answer: (B)

Opening with a question that invites input and centers the other person’s needs sets the right tone for a board meeting. It signals collaboration, makes participants feel heard, and helps capture their priorities from the start. The best option asks what they’d like to discuss and what they’re looking for, which naturally directs the conversation toward their goals and concerns rather than imposing topics or rushing to a conclusion. This approach fosters engagement, uncovers underlying interests, and aligns the meeting around achieving outcomes that matter to the attendees.

In contrast, prompts that focus on the meeting’s purpose, yes/no confirmations about the agenda, or how quickly decisions should be made tend to be more closed or agenda-driven. They can stall true dialogue or push toward closure before voices are fully explored.