The scientist is not a person who gives the right answers, he's one who asks the right questions.”― Claude Lévi-Strauss
To solve problems or seize opportunities we need to ask the right questions. As children, we’re inquisitive and constantly ask questions, sometimes to the irritation of parents. But we tend to fall out of practice asking questions as we grow up. Our educational system, and many jobs, value getting the right answer, and quickly. We may even feel vulnerable, wanting to avoid looking dumb by asking too many – or the wrong questions.There are no wrong questions, only better questions – and more types of questions.To ask better questions – great questions – we need to know there are different types of questions – like different tools in a toolbox. We need the right tool for the job.In their short article, “Relearning the Art of Asking Questions,” Tom Pohlmann and Neethi Mary Thomas outline a simple framework for expanding your question repertoire – read more.In short, you can think of questions along two dimensions. First, think of questions that might narrow or widen your perspective. We can look at the situation closely, as through a microscope, or take a step way back. When you adjust your focus intentionally, you come up with different questions.Then, think of questions that confirm and clarify what you know. Contrast these with ones that are “outside the box.” This second dimension, then, is the intent of the question (affirming or discovering).As business school types love to do, Pohlmann and Thomas lay this out in a two by two matrix resulting in four types of questions.In short:
To download the chart, click here A framework like this is helpful because we tend to frame questions out of habit or from our comfort zone. For example, Donna has a very direct, dominant communication style and tends to focus on clarifying questions. She feels comfortable confirming what she knows and moving on.But when we broaden our inquiry we have the opportunity to discover more effective solutions. New possibilities open up to us and we’re more likely to avoid blind spots. Teams that take this approach realize the benefit of diversity of perspectives and everyone’s strengths.To develop the habit of asking great questions, the first thing to do is declare an intention to do so and create a way to remind yourself. Next, recognize of your own tendencies: what kinds of questions come most naturally to you? Ask a friend or colleague to help with this self-awareness. Consider your team in the same way – are there strengths and talents that have been overlooked? A team of Donna’s might shut down Isaac’s off-the-wall ideas but might really benefit from the out-of-the-box thinking for Elevating questions.Finally, consider the mindset you bring to the problem, or how your body helps you solve the problem. To pick on Donna again, she’s great at Clarifying questions. She’s focused and thorough. Adapting a flexible posture – stretching or going for a leisurely walk can support her developing effective Elevating questions. Even subtler moves like leaning back in her chair and extending her arms over her head can be enough to support fresh ideas.Isaac’s thinking, on the other hand, may benefit from being more focused when coming up with Funneling questions. He may sit forward in his chair with his feet on the floor like was about to begin running. He could use a sharp pencil and a piece of paper rather than a marking on a whiteboard.None of this is to say Donna or Isaac should abandon their strengths. Rather, they may find opportunities of looking at problems in different ways.Teams that encourage everyone to approach problems from their perspectives find questions from all four quadrants coming forward and they find the right answers more quickly.Take action:
Give it a try. Think of something you’re stuck on.
Recognize your own tendencies and those of people around you.
Have fun. Adopt a different posture, shift your energy or environment.
What challenges are you facing that would benefit from some better questions?I invite you to let me know how you might apply this in your life.Be well,
