A better way to ask

Most of our time during the day is spent asking others for more information, getting updates from our team or trying to get what we want in a complex negotiation. During these moments, we tend to ask questions.
But, not all "questions" are created equal, in a way that they might or might not get us what we are looking for.
This session explores how we can use questioning in the best way possible - as a unique way to unlock value, exchange ideas, fuel innovation, and performance.

IN THIS LEARNING KIT: 

  1. How to ask powerful questions
  2. In the Workplace
  3. Your Tasks
  4. Links to Read & Watch

HOW TO ASK POWERFUL QUESTIONS

 
No one likes to be interrogated, and sometimes yes-or-no questions can force people into such a situation and might not be the best way to get the information we need. The way we frame questions and choose to answer our counterparts can influence the outcome of our conversations. 
 
The Hierarchy of Questions is a model that proposes a pyramid based on the power that a question evokes. The idea is that any question can be converted into a more powerful question by moving it up the pyramid.
 
The Hierarchy of Questions
As an example, consider the following sequence of questioning:
 
Do you live in Singapore?
Where do you live in Singapore?
How is it like living in Singapore?
Why do you live in Singapore?
As you move from a simple “yes-or-no" question towards a “why” kind of question, you will notice the question tends to motivate more reflective thinking, and generate a more “powerful” outcome - obtaining deep, meaningful and thoughtful answers.
 
The higher the questions fit on the pyramid, the more open-ended they are. Open-ended questions, when framed correctly, can be a friendly way to show interest, engage and invite people to be more open.
 

In the Workplace

Consider this scenario - Most of us have a tendency to run presentations by talking through slides and ending them with a question like "Does anyone have a question?" to gather input from participants. What do you think is the problem with this?
 
This line of question can be close-ended and is likely to shut people down rather than opening them up. In such a situation, changing the way you ask can open the conversation and energize the dialogue.
 
Try these open-ended questions instead: 
  • What are your thoughts?
  • Can you give me some feedback on the choices I just presented?
  • How do you see this happening?
  • What’s the most important priority for you in this? Why?
  • What other issues are important to you?
  • What is it that you’d like to see accomplished?

Key benefits of open-ended questions:

  • Open-ended questions are a good way to see what someone really thinks about – a meeting, a presentation, a new idea, a new way of doing old tasks.
  • Open-ended questions can be handy in resolving conflicts and arguments because people have to open up and explain themselves with a bit more thought.
  • The person asking gets more information to act on, so they are more likely to make better decisions.
  • The person answering gets to actually voice what they think, and feels more listened to.

Your task

 Use open-ended questions at work 
  • Your task is to practice using the open-ended questioning technique with a colleague. 
  • You are free to pick a situation below or come up with a new one yourself.
  • Make sure you plan enough time to complete this exercise. It is advised to allot less than 24 hours so you can complete the team session that comes after. 

Step 1: Pick a situation below:

 1.  Find out more about how your colleague spent his/her weekend.
 2.  Ask a colleague about how their projects are going.
 3.  Get feedback on a piece of work you are doing from one of your colleagues.
 4.  Learn something new about a colleague you didn't know before.
 

Step 2: Come up with an open-ended question

 TIP: 

Remember, open-ended questions begin with “What,” “How,” “In what way,” and “Tell me …” or “Describe…” Below are some phrases you can use: 

  • What was it like to…
  • What was the best part of…
  • What was the hardest part about…
  • How did you feel about…
  • How did you know…
  • What brought you to…
  • What’s surprised you the most about…
  • In what way is that similar/different from…
  • Why do you want…

Step 3: Speak with your colleague

Once you have your open-ended questions ready, go ahead and have that conversation with your colleague! 
 
 Submit to Doris  

  • When you have completed the task, go back to Doris on Workchat. 
  • Doris will ask you the following questions:
    • What question did you use?
    • What did you learn from the experience? (e.g. What kind of responses did you get? How would you use it next time?) 

doris-3

LINKS TO READ & WATCH

Here's a round-up of some of the key links from this kit. Read and watch them all, or select what you find most relevant to you.

ARTICLE: Questions are the Answer
New MIT Sloan Executive Education program helps executives identify "unknown unknowns" through catalytic questioning.

ARTICLE: The Art of Asking Questions
The four questions you need to solve different types of problems.

ARTICLE: The Surprising Power of Questions
When, how and what are the best ways to ask questions in the work environment.

ARTICLE: The Art and Architecture of Powerful Questions
Paper that explains the Hierarchy of questions approach and the thinking behind it.

Hyper Island designs learning experiences that challenge companies and individuals to grow and stay competitive in an increasingly digitized world. With clients such as Google, adidas and IKEA this “Digital Harvard” has been listed by CNN as one of the most innovative schools in the world.