Rob Fitzpatrick
Stop asking people if your startup idea is good, because everyone will lie to protect your feelings. Instead, learn how to ask questions that reveal the harsh but necessary truth about customer needs.
Talk exclusively about the customer's life and problems rather than pitching your specific product idea.
Ask questions about specific past behaviors instead of generic statements or hypothetical opinions about the future.
Listen more than you speak to avoid leading the customer or exposing your own biases.