In my career and personal life, one question has taken me farther, faster:
What can I do for you today?
If you think this question is relegated to waitresses or bellhops, think again. This question can shorten conversations, help you understand the needs of others (be they a wife or a boss), and reveal what needs to be delivered and when.
At heart, it's the question of one interested in the welfare of others. But it's not the question of a servant.
It's the question of a leader.