Asking good questions is a superpower.
They expand minds, generate insights, and make you look smart.
12 of the best questions to do just that:
They expand minds, generate insights, and make you look smart.
12 of the best questions to do just that:
"How can you achieve your 10-year plan in the next 6 months?"
Ask this when:
β’ They're thinking too small
β’ You want to generate bigger and bolder ideas
Breakthrough outdated paradigms.
(Source: Peter Thiel)
Ask this when:
β’ They're thinking too small
β’ You want to generate bigger and bolder ideas
Breakthrough outdated paradigms.
(Source: Peter Thiel)
The Feynman Technique
"How would you teach it to a child?"
Ask this when:
β’ They're learning something new
β’ The subject is complex
β’ They're formulating "how-to" instructions
Encourage them to return to learning, fill in knowledge gaps, and simplify further.
"How would you teach it to a child?"
Ask this when:
β’ They're learning something new
β’ The subject is complex
β’ They're formulating "how-to" instructions
Encourage them to return to learning, fill in knowledge gaps, and simplify further.
The 5 Whys Method
"Why?" (Repeat 3-5 times)
Ask this when:
β’ You want to uncover root causes, not proximate
Proximate = what immediately caused something to happen.
Root = the real reason something happened
Be hard on the problem, soft on the person.
(H/T: Sakichi Toyoda)
"Why?" (Repeat 3-5 times)
Ask this when:
β’ You want to uncover root causes, not proximate
Proximate = what immediately caused something to happen.
Root = the real reason something happened
Be hard on the problem, soft on the person.
(H/T: Sakichi Toyoda)
Amazon's Working Backward Method
"What would a press release for this product say?"
Ask this when:
β’ They have a new product idea
Follow-up actions:
β’ Work backward from the customer POV
β’ Draft an FAQ + press release BEFORE building the product
"What would a press release for this product say?"
Ask this when:
β’ They have a new product idea
Follow-up actions:
β’ Work backward from the customer POV
β’ Draft an FAQ + press release BEFORE building the product
Second Order Thinking
"And then what?"
"What do the consequences look like in 10 minutes? 10 months? 10 Years?"
Ask this when:
β’ There's a bias towards instant gratification
β’ Thinking through time
(Source: Farnam Street)
"And then what?"
"What do the consequences look like in 10 minutes? 10 months? 10 Years?"
Ask this when:
β’ There's a bias towards instant gratification
β’ Thinking through time
(Source: Farnam Street)
Second Order Thinking Cont'd
Many extraordinary things in life are first-order negative, second-order positive.
Ex: Starting a new workout regimen.
It's painful at first, with little instant gratification (negative).
But there IS a long-term health payoff (positive).
Many extraordinary things in life are first-order negative, second-order positive.
Ex: Starting a new workout regimen.
It's painful at first, with little instant gratification (negative).
But there IS a long-term health payoff (positive).
"How have you been complicit in creating the conditions you say you don't want?"
Ask this when:
β’ They don't own their outcomes
First, build rapport and show positive intention.
They'll identify negative behaviors and regain their locus of control.
(Source: Jerry Colonna)
Ask this when:
β’ They don't own their outcomes
First, build rapport and show positive intention.
They'll identify negative behaviors and regain their locus of control.
(Source: Jerry Colonna)
"What would happen if you didn't have to?"
Ask this when:
β’ You hear the words "have to" or "must"
β’ You notice unhealthy stress/anxiety
Ex: "I have to get into Harvard."
Expand their attractive options set = reduce stress.
Ask this when:
β’ You hear the words "have to" or "must"
β’ You notice unhealthy stress/anxiety
Ex: "I have to get into Harvard."
Expand their attractive options set = reduce stress.
"If there was a miracle tonight, and when you woke up tomorrowβ¦
everything [in this area of your life/work] was exactly as you'd like it to be,
how would you know a miracle occurred?"
"What would you see, hear and feel?"
Ask this when:
β’ Specifying their goals/ideal outcome
everything [in this area of your life/work] was exactly as you'd like it to be,
how would you know a miracle occurred?"
"What would you see, hear and feel?"
Ask this when:
β’ Specifying their goals/ideal outcome
"What would that give you that you wouldn't otherwise have?"
Ask this when:
β’ Clarifying desires
β’ Shifting focus to gratitude
As @Naval says, "Play stupid games, win stupid prizes."
This question often reveals whether the prize is worth it.
Ask this when:
β’ Clarifying desires
β’ Shifting focus to gratitude
As @Naval says, "Play stupid games, win stupid prizes."
This question often reveals whether the prize is worth it.
"What are you like when you're at your best?"
Ask this when:
β’ They're lacking confidence
β’ They're seeking life direction
Listen for skills and qualities that might align with a fulfilling career.
Ask this when:
β’ They're lacking confidence
β’ They're seeking life direction
Listen for skills and qualities that might align with a fulfilling career.
"What would you do if you knew it was OK to fail?"
Ask this when:
β’ Fear and perfectionism are holding them back
In the words of Adam Grant:
"The greatest originals are the ones who fail the most, because they're the ones who try the most."
Ask this when:
β’ Fear and perfectionism are holding them back
In the words of Adam Grant:
"The greatest originals are the ones who fail the most, because they're the ones who try the most."
The Joe Rogan Razor
"What would you do right now if a documentary crew were following you around?"
Ask this when:
β’ Clarifying their purpose
β’ There's an ethical decision
Rogan says the best life advice he's ever received:
Live your life like you're the hero in the movie.
"What would you do right now if a documentary crew were following you around?"
Ask this when:
β’ Clarifying their purpose
β’ There's an ethical decision
Rogan says the best life advice he's ever received:
Live your life like you're the hero in the movie.
One final thing:
Be your own best coach.
Ask these questions to yourself, too.
You'll be dangerous.
Be your own best coach.
Ask these questions to yourself, too.
You'll be dangerous.
Thanks for reading! Follow me @SystemSunday for more content like this.
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