Did you know that powerful questions start with WHY, HOW, and WHAT?
Moderately powerful questions start with WHO, WHEN, and WHERE.
And the least powerful questions start with WHICH and are YES/NO oriented.
When you want to turn a problem into a possibility, try asking generative questions…they will help you turn any problem into a possibility!
What are generative questions?
- Generative questions generate more questions (e.g., they spark a need to know, they invite curiosity, they encourage us to turn wonder)
- Generative questions often use the stems, “What if”, and “How would.”
- Generative questions are a key component of the phases of the 5D Cycle of Appreciative Inquiry*
Appreciative Inquiry is “a fundamental shift in the overall perspective taken throughout the entire change process to ‘see’ the wholeness of the human system and to “inquire” into that system’s strengths, possibilities, and successes.”
STEPS
- Name the problem or challenge
- Pick a generative question or two
- Take action by answering the question(s)
Go to kristiepf.com/generative-questions for examples of generative questions created by Jennifer Lopez, Leadership consultant, and me, Dr. Kristie Pretti-Frontczak.
Download the steps for asking generative questions here.
Watch this video with an overview of how to pick a generative question across the phases of the 5D Cycle.
Want more strategies for turning problems into possibilities?
Check out the other tips in this series!
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- Part 1 – Solve Any Problem in 5 Minutes
- Part 2 (this post) – Ask Generative Questions
- Part 3 – The Problem with Problem-Solving
- Part 4 – Turning Problems into Possibilities by Reframing