Questioning

• Goals
  • Describe questions.
  • Routinely, ask great questions

Questions (What)

A question is a request for or desire for information.

Examples:

• Car purchasing: cost?, mileage? warranty? crash rating? towing capacity?
• A mentor asking questions such that mentee changes their view of the world.
• A problem solver asking questions that over time guide them to a solution.
• An investigative journalist asking questions that over time bring out the essential information about the topic under investigation.

Rationale

1. Socratic questioning is one of the best methods ever for teaching and persuading.

2. Skilled questioning is at the heart of great research.

3. Skilled questioning is foundational for many professions: law, medicine, journalism, engineering, and so on.

Skilled Questioning (How To)

1. Though time and practice shift yourself to a person who asks a lot of questions and listens for understanding.

2. Develop a list of “great questions” that work for you. See the Inquiry Questions-5W2H.