To unlock the full potential of our teams and drive strategic success, it’s essential to balance the types of questions we pose.
1. Investigative Questions: Start with questions that dig deep into the problem. Ask “What happened?” and “Why did this occur?” to gather essential facts and understand the root causes.
2. Speculative Questions: Challenge assumptions by asking “What if?” and “How might we?” These questions stimulate creative thinking and uncover innovative solutions.
3. Productive Questions: Focus on execution with questions like “What is the next step?” and “Do we have the resources to proceed?” This ensures your plans are actionable and realistic.
4. Interpretive Questions: Push for deeper understanding by asking “What does this mean for us?” and “What are we trying to achieve?” These questions help us align actions with goals.
5. Subjective Questions: Don’t overlook the emotional and personal aspects. Ask “How do you feel about this decision?” and “Are all stakeholders genuinely aligned?” to address potential conflicts and ensure everyone is on board.
Using various types of questions in your strategic decision-making can lead to more comprehensive insights and better outcomes.
This will likely surface information and options that might otherwise be missed.
How many of these types of questions do you currently use? Is there a strategy around when and how you ask them?
Source: Harvard Business Review – May/June 2024.
