If asking powerful questions is essential, why don’t many people spend ample time structuring and framing the questions? It might be due to the influence of the western culture which mainly aims at getting the correct answer other than understanding the posed question. Also, our education system also requires more on memorization other than seeking new possibilities. Rarely are we asked to come up with conflicting questions or even taught why we should ask any questions. Moreover, aptitude tests and examinations mainly uphold the value of correct answers, and that’s why many of us are reluctant in knowing.
Commonly, our culture views asking of powerful questions as an emphasis to finding fixes to the black and white way of thinking. Furthermore, the nature of daily jobs does not give us a chance to participate in reflective conversations which can be the catalyst to asking powerful questions before reaching the key decisions. It happens since many people believe that real work constitutes of making a detailed analysis which involves of asking profound questions which lead to different strategic conversations. In addition, our systems of reward usually bring out this dilemma. Our leaders have developed a form of belief that they are usually paid to fix our problems instead of fostering a concrete way of thinking. In this case, given the challenges that face us both in our community and organizations, it is wise to think on how powerful questions can help us.
Could there be any organizations that do place a high value on questions? In Germany, there is a job title of Direktor Grunddsatzfragen which refers to the director of fundamental questions. There are several people who have the same title, and the main aim of these people is thinking about questions. Germany has clearly brought out the importance of having people who can analyze and understand what the next questions will be. This might be due to their value of philosophy and the upcoming questioning of priorities and the meaning they are bringing to life. Today, these aspects have been brought up in schools offering a high quality of education.
As the world delves into an era of systemic issues, there will be obviously serious challenges that will require concrete solutions. The questions formulated to come up with solutions will be based on the assumptions made which will be key to creating positive outcomes. Also, these questions can never be solved with the same level of understanding as to that which created them.
What makes a powerful question?
Powerful questions can be compared to a lever which helps us open a lid. If the lever is short, it can only crack the lid. However, if the lever is longer, the lid will be removed with much ease. In the same way, if the right questions are applied, we can dig deep and come up with the most creative solutions. While someone can not right away understand a powerful question, one can easily recognize it. Let us take for instance an Olympic judge. They are given a scale of one to ten to give their verdict. The same way, one can answer the following questions using the same scale.
What is the time?
Did you take a bath?
What does being ethical mean?
What possibilities haven’t we explored yet?
Such questions are evident in different cultures. As time moves on, people also discover that irrespective of our differences in culture, people consistently rate questions low suggesting that they are less powerful. Commonly, powerful questions surpass all boundaries. Such questions can travel well and spread beyond the places where they were created. They have the power of invoking conversations in a given organization or society. It is also well known that questions which spread well are known to have a large impact change.
Powerful questions can easily improve insight and innovation as well as increase actions in an organization of the community. Due to that, it is wise to understand the basic structure of powerful questions. To construct a powerful question, you have to observe three critical dimensions (Eric E, Juanita Brown " David Isaacs, 2003). They include:
Questions construction
Its scope
Assumptions made
The three dimensions highly contribute to the quality of learning since we engage in high precision inquiry.
Construction
The construction of powerful questions can either open our minds or also narrow the possibility of us understanding the questions. Does the question require a yes or no answer? Is it interrogative using clauses such as what, who and how?
As a form of fun, people should try placing these questions in a pyramid from the one which has a high priority to the one which has a low priority. In this case, someone is not required to think deeply but use simple intuition. By using the described words, we can be able to come up with robust questions. When you try to compare a “yes/no” question to a “why” question, you will end up understanding that the “why” question creates a deeper conversation level. Through that, a powerful question is created since it provokes creativity and a thoughtful way of thinking.
It is also wise to note that a “why” question should be crafted in the most creative way to avoid it evoking a response that is defensive. In many cases, a powerful question depends on the end goal. However, if you want to delve into creativity, construct questions with words which appear at the top of the pyramid.
Scope
It is wise to match the scope of the question to the need it might address. Commonly, questions usually broaden the level of inquiry since they consider system aspects. A question, in this case, enlarges the scope and makes them as precise as possible. You should also avoid stretching the scope of the question by keeping them in boundaries that are realistic.
Assumptions made
Irrespective of the language used, the questions we use usually pose have assumptions which are built into them. Implicitly or explicitly, these questions might not be shared with people who explore them. Therefore, if you want to formulate a powerful question, you should consider the assumptions made and utilize them appropriately.
It is always important to examine questions to discover any unconscious beliefs in them. When we alter the assumptions made, it can be possible to shift the context of the inquiry.
Dynamics of powerful questions
Open questions
These are powerful questions where the client is expected not to give a single answer like “Yes” or “No.” Such questions help clients be open and give more information. In this case, the power of becoming a better coach lies in the ability of the client can think of new possibilities and explore all their feelings and ideas. The clients are able to solve their problems by critically thinking enabling them to move forward. Open questions contribute to a successful session of coaching. Such questions usually begin with “When,” “what,” “who” and “where.”
Effective questions
If coaching involves assisting the client come up with their concrete solutions, asking effective questions then lies at the heart of a successful session. In this case, the Pareto principle may be applied. It states that the coach needs only 20% of the time to question the client as well as reflect back to the client. Consequently, the client needs 80% of the time for speaking and thinking about the questions posed to them by the coach (Wayne Farrell, 2015).
While asking effective questions, the coach should understand that the bigger part of the session belongs to the client. For that reason, the questions they ask should benefit the client other than them. Effective questions asked by the coach should help the client in the following ways.
Provoking deeper thinking
Challenge the present thinking
Explore different options
Look at issues from a different point of view
Gain understanding and clarity.
Taking action after planning.
A coach should not pose questions that will suggest that the client picks a certainly preferred answer. Although many coaches use that approach in direct coaching, it is considered to be a true form of coaching. It is not all clients who respond to questions in the same way.
Solution-focused questions
This type of powerful question aims at moving the client closer to the solutions other than dwelling on the primary causes of the problem. It is a wise way of coaching since it aims at using an interrogative form of speech that induces answers to the client’s mind. The questions may include:
What is the issue?
What is blocking you from solving the issue?
Why is this problem for you?
How long have you been experiencing the issue?
What success have you achieved so far in solving the issue?
Reflective questions
It entails recalling back on the feelings and thoughts the client has. It serves as a way of showing that the client was listening. It also helps in the creation of a good rapport. Reflecting back on the client will enable a coach to go for further exploration. Also, the client should have time and space to reflect. Coaches who use powerful questions should deliberately plan for their coaching sessions. This will enable them to get a chance to listen to the client and reflect on what the client might have said.
Characteristics of powerful questions
In the coaching world, the coach is not supposed to post powerful questions which leave the clients in awe. It is not all about showcasing one’s supreme intelligence. It is important to assist the community to focus on their issues from different perspectives.
The primary aim of powerful questions is they help the client surge forward. In this case, it is not important if the coach understands the questions or not. It is wise for a coach to socialize with the client while trusting in his/her ability to ask powerful questions. This is possible when the coach actively listens to the client.
Powerful questions generate curiosity
When curiosity is fostered through a powerful question, it will have a direct impact on the person making him/her get more interested and engaged, therefore, making them learn more. In the recent past, some neurologists from California discovered that having a high level of curiosity boosts the memory. Moreover, some studies also indicate that curiosity usually influences achievements in the academic world (Heather Singmaster, 2017).
Commonly, classroom teachers are expected to pass maximum knowledge to the students in class as they go through the curricula. The best way to deliberate on this is teaching students ways of formulating questions using simple strategies that are already approved by the education system.
Powerful questions enhance leadership
Every leader is expected to have answers to questions asked by their subordinates. Also, the leader can experience pressure to provide responses that are quick and defensive. For this reason, coming up with the desired answer makes a leader make a considerable risk. What if a leader fails to give the required response to solving an issue? Also, what if this leader spends more time trying to find an answer to the wrong question?
In such events, tracking back the problem and assessing it further can provide full insight of what is required. This involves addressing the issue by questioning it. When leaders ask themselves questions, they are able to go back and reframe the problem with a sharper focus. This will lead to essential benefits such as:
Encouraging forward progress
Asking more questions
Bring out underlying expectations
The reason why leaders are given incentives is their ability to solve problems faster. Taking time to explore the problem is taken as time wastage. The leaders are expected to answer the problem in black and white. In some events, people may feel asking powerful questions as a sign of weakness or knowledge boasting. This is wrong since solutions can only ease a subordinates chance to reach certain goals.
Powerful questions stimulate reflective conversations
Asking powerful questions brings the difference between interrogation and normal leaning. A good coach can always ask questions which will give someone a chance of examining themselves. The right type of question will help someone track their actions from the different aspects of daily life and come up with constructive solutions. People will be able to learn how to question themselves in any action and change if it does not deem right. Reflecting back is a sign that someone is a good listener.
Powerful questions provoke thoughts
Powerful questions that provoke thoughts should be open-ended. They should be questions which aim at soliciting information but are not leading questions. When you ask a powerful question, it is important to wait for the answer and not provide the answer first. When working with some people to solve a given problem, it might not be enough telling these people what the issue might be. It is important to let people go and find out through thought provocation.
Invoke creativity and new possibilities
A powerful question usually allows people to creatively think of their past events and the surrounding environment. In social work, powerful questions can help service providers get a chance of integrating social changes in their works. Although powerful questions may be important in exploring new possibilities, people also need to understand the dynamics which are associated with a given practice. In this case, it can be viewed that questions do create responsive conversations. However, this creates expectations in the mind of the service provider in any business to predict of the upcoming ventures.
Evokes more questions
When a powerful question is posed, the main aim of it is finding the solution. Solutions which are problem focused usually moves a client towards devising ways of solving the problem. In this case, the client can ask themselves more questions as an aim of answering the main questions. Through creativity and in-depth thinking, the client will be able to come up with concrete answers. At this point, the client will focus on what the problem is and what they would like to achieve from that question. Also, the client will also look at the impossibilities present and appreciate the progress that they have made so far.
Conclusion
In the present century, there is a need for people to be able to create powerful questions and be able to answer powerful questions posed to them. This will enable people to be able to inquire more and drive their understanding based on their curiosity. With the advancing technology every day, there is simply no missing information on the internet. This has led to people rethinking their ability to answer questions as well as drive innovation to the other level by asking questions that are yet to be explored. For this reason, powerful questions will drive us to the net level of thinking that the world required. Problems will be, solved and human beings will realize of the importance of powerful questions.
References
Eric E, Juanita Brown " David Isaacs. (2003). THE ART OF POWERFUL QUESTIONS: Catalyzing insight, innovation and action. Retrieved on Feb 12, 2018 from http://umanitoba.ca/admin/human_resources/change/media/the-art-of-powerful-questions.pdf
Heather Singmaster. (2017). The Importance of Curiosity and Questions in 21st-Century Learning. Education Week. Retrieved on 12 Feb, 2018 from http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/global_learning/2017/05/the_5th_c_curiosity_questions_and_the_4_cs.html
Wayne Farrel. (2015). Powerful Questions. Coaching With NLP. Retrieved on 12 Feb, 2018 from https://www.coachingwithnlp.co/powerful-questions/
