How to do Smart Questions - 9 Techniques You Need to Know
Unlock Your Questioning Superpower for Personal and Professional Growth
In this guide, I'm gonna break down the techniques behind the superpower of asking great questions, giving you the tools to master the art of inquiry.
Why should you wanna harness the superpower of asking insightful questions?
The benefits are huge.
By sharpening this skill, you open the doors to deeper understanding, effective communication, and the ability to navigate complex situations with finesse. Get ready to boost your curiosity, level up your problem-solving skills, and grab the ability to influence and lead with some strategic questioning.
Unfortunately, even with the undeniable advantages, a lot of folks have a tough time harnessing this superpower effectively.
Reasons People Struggle with Asking Good Questions:
Reason #1: Lack of questioning frameworks: Without effective techniques, coming up with impactful questions can be a real challenge.
Reason #2: Fear of looking ignorant: Some hesitate to ask questions, fearing it might make 'em look clueless.
Reason #3: Relying too much on assumptions: People often assume they understand a situation, holding back their curiosity.
Reason #4: Impatience in conversations: Quick exchanges overshadow the potential for deeper exploration through questions.
Reason #5: Insecurity about question quality: The fear of asking the "wrong" question can put a damper on the inquiry process.
Finally, here's the good news: You can totally tackle these challenges. I'll take you through it, step by step, sharing some techniques for asking killer questions.
Ready to become the master of smart, provocative, and creative questions?
Here are the top techniques for you, plus examples you can save and apply directly.
SCAMPER Technique
SCAMPER stands for Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to another use, Eliminate, Reverse/Rearrange. This technique, often used in creative problem-solving, encourages you to ask different types of questions to innovate or improve existing ideas or processes.
Example:
How can we substitute this component to enhance efficiency?
Can we combine these two methods to create a more effective solution?
In what ways can we adapt this strategy to suit a different demographic?
What elements can we modify to make this product more user-friendly?
Can we eliminate any steps in this process without compromising quality?
How might reversing the usual order of operations lead to a better outcome?
Provocative Questions
These questions challenge assumptions and encourage creative thinking by pushing the boundaries of conventional thought.
Example:
What if we tackled this problem from a completely different angle?
How might our perspective change if we considered this from an opposing viewpoint?
What would happen if we ignored the existing limitations?
The Columbo Technique
Inspired by the TV detective Columbo, this technique involves playing the role of a curious and slightly clueless person, asking seemingly simple questions that uncover important details.
Example:
Can you tell me more about how that decision was made?
I'm curious, could you explain the reasoning behind that choice?
What led you to that conclusion?
Socratic Questioning
This technique involves asking a series of questions to stimulate critical thinking and guide someone towards discovering answers on their own. Socratic questions often start with "Why do you think that is?" or "What evidence supports your viewpoint?"
Example:
"Can you provide examples or evidence that support your perspective on this issue?"
Inversion
Instead of focusing on how to achieve a positive outcome, consider the opposite – what might cause failure or prevent success. This technique can reveal hidden assumptions and risks.
Example:
"What factors could lead to the failure of our current strategy, and how can we mitigate those risks?"
Contrarian Questioning
Challenge prevailing assumptions or commonly held beliefs by asking questions that explore alternative perspectives. This technique encourages a more thorough examination of ideas.
Example:
What if we approached this problem from a completely different angle?
How might our conclusions change?
The Pre-mortem
Imagine that a project or decision has failed, and ask questions about what might have led to that failure. This technique helps identify potential pitfalls before they occur.
Example:
"If we were to look back on this project a year from now and it had failed, what do you think would be the main reasons for that failure?"
Second Order Thinking
This involves considering the potential consequences of decisions beyond the immediate and direct effects. By thinking one or more steps ahead, it helps formulate questions that explore the broader implications of a situation.
Example:
What could be the long-term consequences of this decision?
How might this choice impact future events or outcomes?
The 5 Whys Method
Rooted in problem-solving and continuous improvement, the 5 Whys involves asking "why" repeatedly to uncover the underlying causes of an issue. This technique helps get to the root of a problem.
Example:
Why did this problem occur?
What are the deeper reasons behind this issue?
The ability to ask the right questions becomes a superpower, swinging open doors to comprehension, effective communication, and deft navigation through complexity.
Yet, mastering the art of asking the right questions isn't solely about the positive impact; but avoiding questions that lead to wrong answers.
Think of the story of Deep Thought from Adams Douglas' masterpiece "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" (Musk's favorite book).
A group of scientists build Deep Thought, the second largest computer of all time and space, to get the answer to the "Fundamental Question about Life, the Universe, and Everything":
What is the meaning of life, the universe, and everything?
After seven and a half million years of processing, the computer provides only "42" as the answer.
Scientists are irritated apparent lack of meaning after such an epic wait.
So, they turn to Deep Thought, demanding an explanation for their answer.
How does Deep Thought respond?
In this way:
"I checked it very thoroughly," said the computer, "and that quite definitely is the answer. I think the problem, to be quite honest with you, is that you've never actually known what the question is."
"So once you do know what the question actually is, you'll know what the answer means.”
In conclusion, it's absolutely key to make sure we're asking the right questions. If we're not getting what we want, or if life's responses aren't hitting the mark, the remedy lies in reshaping the questions.
Take a look at my Twitter post for the condensed template featuring the 9 techniques to enhance the Art of WHYs.
It's your go-to tool for leveraging creativity, and why not, even in those meetings where the finesse of asking the right questions is necessary for propelling your project forward.
If this article has sparked your curiosity, I'd appreciate it if you could show some love by hitting the ❤️ button. Your support will help share these ideas with fellow challengers on Substack.
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