Episode 131: That's An Even Better Question

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Android Devices | RSS

Questions are key tools in a coach’s, a leader’s, and any human’s tool kit. But, as we explore, they’re often misunderstood or misused, allowing us to miss the opportunities a great question can bring.

A good question not only unlocks potential in your team, fuels innovation, and builds relationships, but asking better questions can actually get us out of an unproductive loop.

The challenge? What happens when we feel we’re checking all the “good question” boxes but aren’t getting where we want to go.

At the heart of our discussion is the purpose of a great question and how great questions help new things come to light, shine that light on the factors that could create (or are creating) discomfort, foster curiosity, and expand our awareness. We also share the dangers of basing a question on a set of assumptions and how that can limit us.

We also discuss how great questions share some common qualities: They’re open-ended, come from a curious place, allow for new information, let people speak freely, foster compassionate inquiry, and lead to a productive solution.

So, while we’re not giving you a list of “great questions” you’ll have plenty of insight to guide your question creation. And you can always reach out to us if you’d like to get better at asking powerful, inviting, inclusive, and productive questions.

In Our Conversation Today, We’re Exploring:

• The purpose of a good question

• Why the questions we’re asking might not be leading us where we want to go

• What best practices we can use when building a great question

• How we can all continue to get better at asking questions

• Where and how discomfort and questions coexist

• What a “quejestion” is and how to know if you’re asking one

• Why we can’t just give you a list of great questions to ask

Resources

• Pop Culture: Seasons by Chris Cornell from the movie Singles

Connect with us:

• Love the Inside Job? Consider buying us a coffee!

• Follow @insidejobpodcast on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook

• Email us with your questions, thoughts, or ideas for future conversations at info@insidejobthepodcast.com.

• Subscribe to the Inside Job newsletter to receive exciting updates about our community and get exclusive access to coaching, extra content, our hosts, and each other.

Getting something out of our conversations? Show our podcast some love.

Please subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app and tell your friends.