What are some things you’re wondering about these days? What are some questions you’re finding yourself thinking about?
During recent conversations in a non-profit I work with, we realized that when it comes to how the organization’s audience is thinking about the future of AI and work, we had more questions than answers. More to the point, we had questions about what the audience’s questions would be.
Meanwhile, in other work, I find myself helping clients noticing the kinds of questions they ask, often falling into various categories – closed-ended or open-ended; addressing symptoms or addressing underlying issues; focused on current needs or on the bigger picture; data-gathering or reflection-oriented. (A question can fall into any combination of these artificially-binary distinctions; this is not a case of better/worse. All combinations have their use. An open-ended question might seek to gather data and address current symptoms while still focused on the bigger picture, for example.)
And in still other work as an outdoor educator, I’ve found myself noticing that with groups preparing for a high ropes course activity or working on another challenge, people tend to fall into either the confident camp or the nervous but courageous camp. In a choice between confidence and courage, courage is always the most exciting, and typically leads to the biggest breakthroughs and meaningful change. And in facilitating programs, the question that often gets the most surprising responses is a simple one: “What struck you during that activity?”
So, with that in mind, what struck you from those three examples? I wonder what connections you see – in particular any connection points to your own work?
For me, I’m noticing more and more the value of asking questions that have no right – or wrong – answer. The kind of questions that invite people to explore their own thoughts beyond what they’ve already articulated – perhaps even beyond what they’ve already consciously thought for themselves. The kind of questions you would not find a satisfying answer to from a Google search or an AI, because they’re less about facts than about perspectives and experiences.
Crucially, these kinds of questions also trigger a different response in the brain of the recipient. Rather than defaulting to data retrieval, a reflective open-ended question triggers a neurochemical shift: the release of serotonin to relax the mind for problem-solving, followed by a rush of dopamine that creates motivation to explore possible answers and generate new neural connections. The unconscious mind fires up to construct new ideas, leading to potential “aha” moments and solutions. The absence of a “right” answer also allays the fight or flight response that some questions can elicit.
This isn’t to say that questions that have right and wrong answers aren’t important – in fact, they’re crucial to understanding context. But using only those kinds of questions mean we miss out on something eye-opening – perspectives different from our own. Different perspectives can challenge our center of gravity, help us metaphorically kick our tires and add nuance to our own views – or even change them entirely! Not only that, but asking these questions of other people helps them explore their own perspectives in ways they might not have done already.
I’ve posted before about the power of open-ended questions, the value of wondering, and the benefits of seeking different perspectives, as well as the idea of showing more humanity in the era of AI. Perhaps this is simply a combination of all of those ideas. I wonder what you think?
This Week’s Tip:
Notice the questions you ask your co-workers each day, and try asking more questions that have no right or wrong answer. These could take many different forms, and can take some practice. You could even let others know you’re trying this, and ask for their feedback on the questions you’re asking. How are those questions coming across to the recipients? What kinds of responses are they eliciting?
Try this out this week, and let us know how it goes! We’d love to hear from you.
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