Effective Questioning

Traits of Strategic Questions

A strategic question (from "Strategic Questioning" by Peavey, in In Context, No. 40):

1. Creates motion -- Gears to "How can we move?"

2. Creates options -- Instead of "Why don't you ..?", asks "Where would you ...?"

3. Digs deeper -- "What needs to be changed?" "What is the meaning of this?"

4. Avoids "why."

5. Avoids "yes" and "no" questions -- These leave the presenter in a passive or uncreative state.

6. Empowers -- "What would you like to do?"

7. Asks the unaskable questions.

Examples of Powerful Questions to Ask

1. How important is this?

2. Where do you feel stuck?

3. What is the intent of what you're saying?

4. What can we do for you?

5. What do you think the problem is?

6. What's your role in this issue?

7. What have you tried so far? What worked? What didn't?

8. Have you experienced anything like this before? (If so, what did you do?)

9. What can you do for yourself?

10. What do you hope for?

11. What's preventing you from ..."

12. What would you be willing to give up for that?

13. If you could change one thing, what would it be?

14. Imagine a point in the future where your issue is resolved. How did you get there?

15. What would you like us to ask?

16. What have you learned?