Questions are the Answers!

Questions are the Answers!

(Based on some perspectives from book ‘Stop Talking, start Asking’ by Jean Marie DiGiovanna,  International Keynote Speaker & Leadership Educator.)

All innovation  and change comes about when people ask Different Questions that lead to New Answers.

The caveat here is that the Questions must be not just any Random ‘run-of the-mill’ ones.

They should be Powerful #questions , which can lead to new Answers  that disrupt the status quo and the ‘S Curve’.

So, what makes for powerful questions?

We are all familiar with the
foundational Communication formula – 5W  1H

5 Ws – Who, Whom, When, Where, WHY
1 H  – How

It’s the What & How Questions that are  powerful. What & How questions create movement,  forward the action, and deepen the meaning.

These questions are open-ended; so they open up the dialogue, rather than closing it down.

On the other hand, WHY questions can put the other person on the defense & and keep the discourse in thinking & analysing mode. This can often lead to paralysis of Action.

A good self-check for  for relationship building – whether for leaders, mentors, coaches and just about anyone would be:

When you catch yourself asking ‘What’ questions, try to make a quick shift to ‘Why” & ‘How’ Questions.

WHY questions:
Why do you think….
Why would you not….
Why do you not agree…
Why did you do it this way?

WHAT questions:
What is the biggest challenge you are facing?
What do you think you can do, which is within your control?
What could you have done differenty?
What support or resources do you need?

HOW questions;
How do you think you could have responded  differently?
How can you better articulate what you Need?

The latter two viz. What  & How are very Powerful to open up the dialogue.

They can also be quite simple e g.
Can you tell me more?
Can you help me understand better?
Do I hear you right?

One of the fundamental needs of all humans beings, is to be seen, heard and understood.

  we can make a shift to what she calls ‘Renaissance Leadership’

#leadership of this type creates space for the Other and improves relationships and connections over time.

According to Jean Marie, if we simply shift from ‘Why’ to ‘What’ & ‘How’ and request others to share their viewpoint

Powerful questions have the power to change Culture in an organization, in a team, in a family, and even in Society atblarge.

Questions for each of us to answer:

Am I directing more than Asking?
Do I show genuine curiosity when speaking?
Do I know what I want to say, Before the Other has finished speaking?
Do I complete other people’s sentences?

Undoubtedly, it’s difficult to stay Curious and Present 100% of the time.

That having been said, in  the final analysis: Questions are the Answers!