Asking Better Questions
The right question changes what’s possible.
Looking back, two of the most valuable things I learned in more than 20 years of working in design and technology were how to define a problem clearly and that good input leads to good output (conversely garbage in, garbage out).
Albert Einstein once said:
“If I had an hour to solve a problem and my life depended on the solution, I would spend the first 55 minutes determining the proper question to ask, for once I know the proper question, I could solve the problem in less than five minutes.”
I hold onto this perspective when everything feels urgent. A quick question can lead to a fast fix, and sometimes that’s exactly what’s needed. But the problems that matter usually need a little more space and time. Imagine…
A teacher sits with “How do I make this lesson stick with students?” and it turns into “How do I make this lesson matter in students’ lives?”
A leader wonders “How do we get more out of people?” long enough for it to morph into “What would help people do their best work?”
Or someone feeling stuck lingers with “What’s next?” until it becomes “What does meaningful progress look like for me?”
It’s not magic. The quality of our curiosity shapes what becomes possible. Even our most advanced tools only go as far as the intent we bring to them. When the right question enters, the work changes and so do we.
This week’s invitation borrows from Sakichi Toyoda’s 5 Whys:
- Write down a problem or challenge you’re facing clearly and simply.
- Ask “why?” five times (give or take), letting each answer lead you to a deeper level.
- When you’ve found the heart of the matter, note the solution it points to. Test it out.