Question Index

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(Questions are followed by page number in printed book.)

INTRODUCTION:WhyQuestion?

Whyquestion?,1

Isn’tthestudyofquestionsasworthyofclassificationasthestudyofticksandmites?,1

WhatifIjustdeclaredmyselfaquestionologist?,1

Whydoesthisproblemorsituationexist?Whataretheunderlyingforces,thelargerissuesatplay?Whatmightbeaninterestingnewwaytocomeatthischallenge?,2

Howcanquestioninghelpusdecide,create,connect,andlead?,4

WhatamIreallytryingtoachievehere?,6

Whatcanwelearnfromafour-year-oldgirl?,7

Howdoesonebecomeabetterquestioner?,7

Whatarethefiveenemiesofquestioning?,8

WillaskingquestionsmakeitseemasifIdon’tknowhowtodomyjob?Willitannoymycolleaguesandsupervisors?,9

Howmightafour-year-oldseethissituation?,12

AmIwillingtobeseenasnaïve?,12

AmIcomfortableraisingquestionswithnoimmediateanswers?12

AmIwillingtomoveawayfromwhatIknow?,12

AmIopentoadmittingImightbewrong?,12

AmIwillingtoslowdownandconsider?,12

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WhatifIfindthatIhavenoreadyanswerfortheseriousquestionsIaskmyself?,13

Isitreallyworthtakingthetimetoquestion?,14

Whyisquestioningnowmoreimportantthanever?,14

Canquestionsbridgethegapbetweenus?,15

Canaleaderembraceuncertainty,askquestions,admitvulnerability—andstillbeseenasastrongandconfidentleader?,16

Whatifthefutureofdemocracydependsonquestioning?,17

Doweevenknowhowtoaskskeptical,interrogatoryquestions?Andwhenwedoasksuchquestions,arewewillingtoacceptinformationthatmayconflictwithourexistingviews?,17

HowcanIseethiswithfresheyes?,18

WhatmightIbeassuming?,18

AmIrushingtojudgment?,18

WhatamImissing?,18

Whatmattersmost?,18

PartI:QuestionsforBetterDECISIONMAKING

WhyshouldIquestionmyowndecisions?,21

WhatamIreallytryingtodecidehere?What’smostimportant?WhatcriticalinformationdoIhaveandnothave?,23

Whyarewemakingdecisionsasifwe’restillinthejungle?,24

ShouldIrelyonmygutinstinctwhenmakingdecisions?,26

HowcanIoverridethosegutinstincts?,26

Whatifwecouldopenupawiderview—usingourquestioningflashlighttodoso?,26

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WhydoIbelievewhatIbelieve?,26

WhatamIinclinedtobelieveaboutthisparticularissue?,27

WhatdidIoncebelievethatisnolongertrue?,27

WhatwouldIliketobetrue?,27

Whatifmybeliefsorassumptionsonthisissuearejustplainwrong?,27

Whataresomereasonsthatmyinitialjudgmentmightbewrong?,28

AmIthinkinglikeasoldierorascout?,29

WouldIratherberight,orwouldIratherunderstand?,30

DoIsolicitandseekoutopposingviews?,30

DoIenjoythe“pleasantsurprise”ofdiscoveringI’mmistaken?,30

Isthissomeonewhowouldratherberightorwouldratherbesuccessful?,31

Whatdoyoumostyearnfor—todefendyourownbeliefsortoseetheworldasclearlyasyoucan?”,32

WhyshouldIacceptwhatI’mtold?,32

(CriticalThinkingQuestions):Whatistheevidencebehindthisclaimandhowstrongisit?;Doesthisevidencecomefromasolidsource?Isthereanagendabehindit?;Cuibono?—Latinfor“Whobenefits?”;Whataretheynottellingme?;Doesitlogicallyfollow?,33;What’stheothersideofthisissue?Isthereactuallyanotherside?;Whichoftheconflictingviewshasmoreevidencebehindit?;Doesmycriticalthinkinghaveanagenda?,34

Whatifthisisn’ta“yesorno”decision?,35

HowdoIopenupmoreoptions?,36

Whatisthegreat,thegood,andtheugly?,37

Whatisthecounterintuitiveoption?,37

HowcanI“openup”thequestiontobedecided?,37

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Ifnoneofthecurrentoptionswereavailable,whatwouldIdo?,37

Whatwouldanoutsiderdo?,37

Ifmyfriendhadtomakethisdecision,whatadvicewouldIgive?,38

Whatshould[myname]dointhissituation?(insteadofwhatshouldIdo?),38

WhatwouldWarrenBuffettdoiffacedwiththisdecision?(Orforthatmatter,LeBronJames?),39

IfwegotkickedoutandtheboardbroughtinanewCEO,whatdoyouthinkhewoulddo?,39

Doesthisdecisionhavetobemadenow?Isthistherighttimetodecide?,40

Isitpossibletoshootholesinthisdecision?,40

IfIhadtodefendthisdecisionatalatertime,howwouldIdoso?,40

WhereinmyliferightnowamIlivingunderthefogofindecisiveness?,41

WhatwouldItryifIknewIcouldnotfail?,41

Whatareyousoafraidof?,41

Howcanquestioninghelpwithsomethingasprimalandpowerfulasfear?,43

Whatisyourearliestmemoryofthisfear?Howdoyoureacttoit?Whathasitkeptyoufromdoing?Howmightthingschangeifyouwereabletoovercomethisfear?,43

(CourageousQuestions):WhywouldIwanttodothisthingormakethischoice,eventhoughitscaresme?,43;Withinthisscarypossibility,whatexcitesme?;Whatistheworstthatcouldhappen?;AndhowwouldIrecoverfromthat?;IfIdidfail,whatwouldbethelikelycauses?;WhatifIsucceed—whatwouldthatlooklike?;HowcanItakeonesmallstepintothebreach?,44

Howcanwegeneratemoreideas?,46

Howcanwequicklyandinexpensivelytestthoseideas?,46

Whatifcostwerenotanissue?,46

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Whatwouldyoudoifyouweren’tafraid?,47

Whatwould“futureme”decide?,47

Whatifwewereencouragedtomakebolderchoices—wouldwethenbehappier?,47

Willyoupursuethisopportunityorwouldyouratherstayput?,48

IfIlookbackyearsfromnow,willIwishthatI’dmadeachangewhentheopportunitywasripe?,49

Whichoptionwillallowmetoevolveandflourish?,49

(QuestionsonWhethertoTakeaJob):Canthelittlepersonrisetothetop?CanIshapemydestinyandhaveinfluenceinthisorganization?;Howwillthebossreacttomistakes?;Howhaveothersatthiscompanyaddednewskillsandexpandedresponsibilities?;Howdoestheorganizationencourage“connectedness”betweenemployees?;Howdoestheorganizationreacttomistakes?;WillIbepunishedforexploring?;WillIenjoythe“smallpleasures”ofmydailyroutine?,50

Whyarepeoplefullyawarethatpresentbenefitsareimportantintheircurrentjob,andyetexpectnottocareaboutthosebenefitsinthefuture?,51

HowwouldIlaterexplainthisdecisiontoothers?,51

Whataremycoreobligations?,51

Imagineyourselfexplainingyourdecisiontoaclosefriendoramentor–wouldyoufeelcomfortable?Howwouldthatpersonreact?,52

IfI’mgenerallybetteroffsayingyestobolddecisions,whynotsayyestothisone?,52

IfI’msayingyestothis,whatamIsayingnoto?,52

HowwouldIfeelifIacceptedthisinvitation—andthenfoundoutithadbeencanceled?,53

Whatifputtingexperiencefirstmakesushappier,morefulfilled,morecreativeandmorememorablepeople?,53

WhenIlookbackinfiveyears,whichoftheseoptionswillmakethebetterstory?,53

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(PassionQuestions):Whatismytennisball?,53;Howdoesthishelpmeinthepursuitofmytennisball?;ShouldIevenbeasking,“What’smypassion?,54;Whataremysignaturestrengths?WhatpersonalstrengthsdidIdisplaywhenIwasatmybest?;Whataremysuperpowers?;WhenwasItrulyhappyandwhy?;WhatactivityorthemedoIkeepcomingbackto?;WhendoIseemmostlikemyself?,WhatdidIenjoydoingatageten?,55;Whatmakesmeforgettoeat?,56;InwhatwaydoIwishtheworldweredifferent?,56;Whatismysentence?,56

WhatisneededandhowmightIhelp?,56

Whataremycircumstancessummoningmetodo?Whatismymostusefulsocialrole?,57

IfIdidn’tcomeintoworktoday,wouldthingsbeworse?,57

AmImakingadifference?AmImakingacontribution?,57

HowmightIapplymysignaturestrengthstoapursuitthatisofnaturalinteresttomeandhelpsothers?,57

Whatisyourfavoriteflavorofshitsandwich?Whatstruggleorsacrificeareyouwillingtotolerate?,58

HowwouldIliketoberemembered?Whatmattersmosttome?WhatchangewouldIliketocreate?,58

PARTII:QuestionsforSparkingCREATIVITYWhycreate?,61

WhatwasIputonthisearthtodo?,61

HowcanIhelpasmanypeopleaspossiblerediscovertheircreativeconfidence?,62

Whybecreative?Whyaddtothepile?Whytaketherisk?,63

AmIwillingtodecideinfavorofcreativity?Andifso,why?,63

Giventhebenefits,whywouldanyonenotdecideinfavorofcreativity?,65

Wheredidmycreativitygo?,66

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(QuestionsNottoAskAboutCreativity):AmIcreative?;HowcreativeamI?;WherewillIeverfindanoriginalidea?Hasn’teverythingbeenthoughtofalready?;WherewillIfindthetimetocreate?;HowcanIcomeupwithanideathatwillmakemoney?,67

WhatifIknewattheoutsetthattherewasnopossibilityoffameorfortunefromthiswork—wouldIstillwanttodoit?,68

WhatifIgolookingforproblems?,68

Whyisitthatsomeoftherawmaterialsweencounterinspireus,andothersdon’t?Andcanweseekouttheonesthatdo?,71

(Problem-findingQuestions):Whatishappeningthatdoesn’tmakesense?;Whatisthestorythatisnotbeingtold?;Howmightthewholethingbereinventedorturnedupsidedown?;WhymightIwanttotakeonthisproblemandmakeitmyown?;Whatstirsme?;Whatbugsme?;What’smissing?;WhatdoIkeepcomingbackto?;Whatisripeforreinvention?,72

What’swrongwiththisproduct?Whydoesn’tabetterproductexist?,72

Whatweremymostcreativeideasthisweek?,73

Isthisaproblemthatistryingtofindme?,73

(QuestionstoHelpYouSeeMore):WhatmightInoticeifIwereencounteringthisforthefirsttime?;WhatifIstandonthedesk?(togetadifferentview);Whatisinthebackground?;Whatherewouldfascinateafive-year-old?;WhatwouldSeinfeldbeamusedby?;WhatwouldSteveJobsbefrustratedby?,74;Howwouldatravelerseethis?,75

WhenamImostresonant?Whatarepeoplerespondingtoinmywork?,75

Whyshouldthisbemyproblem?,76

DoIlookforwardtothinkingaboutthistopic?,76

WillIstilllovethisproblemtomorrow?;WillIwanttocommittothissixmonthsorayeardowntheroad?,76

CanImakeauniquecontributionhere?,76

WhatamIaddingthatsomebodyelsecouldn’t?,76

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IsthisachallengethatIcanapplymyskillsto?,76

Ifothersarepursuingthesameidea,what’smytwist?Howmightmyapproachdifferfromothers?,77

WhatistheupsideifIdosolvetheproblem?,77

CanIownthisproblem?,77

(TheFourWhys):Whydoesthisproblemmatter?Whydoesitexistinthefirstplace?Whyhasn’tsomeonesolveditalready?Whymightthatchangenow?,79

Whereismytortoiseshell?,79

WherewillIactuallybeabletocreate?,80

WhenshouldItakeabreaktodigitallyconnect?,81

IfImustbeconnected,howcanIatleastreassertcontrol?,81

Whatifwesawattentioninthesamewaythatwesawairorwater,asavaluableresourcethatweholdincommon?,81

IfIbegantoseemyattentionasapreciousresource,howmightIbetterprotectit?,82

HowcanIshiftfroma“manager’sschedule”toa“maker’sschedule”?,82

AmIpruningthevine?,82

WhatifItradethemorningnewsforthe“morningmuse”?,82

Insteadoftakingbreaksfromsocialmedia,whatifIreversethat?,82

Whenismycreativeprimetime?,82

Howcanweresisttheurgetofillintheblankspacesonthecalendar?,83

AmIalarkoranowl?,84

HowcanIfightthroughthatinitialperiodandnotgiveup?,85

HowcanIputmyselfincreator’sjail?,84

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Whatismyearlyreleasetime?ShallIoffermyselfabrieffurlough?,84

Whatactivitiesdistractmealittlebutnottoomuch?,86

AmIwillingtokillthebutterfly?,87

CanIlivewiththisdiscrepancybetweenimaginationandreality?IfIcan’tcreatethethingIdreamof,canIatleastcreatethethingI’mcapableofmaking?,88

DoIhavewhatittakestomaketheideaactuallyhappen?,88

Whowillholdmeaccountable?,88

AmIchasingbutterflies?,89

AmIrearrangingthebookshelves?,89

(QuestionsforGettingStarted):HowcanIlowerthebar?;WhatifIbeginanywhere?;CanImakeaprototype?,89;WhatcanIdowithwhatIalreadyhave?;WhatsmallfirststepcanItaketogiveformtomyidea?,90

HowdoIget“unstuck?”,91

Whowouldlookatthisproblemfromadifferentangle?,91

WhatwouldLincolnthinkinasituationlikethis?,92

IfIweretoimaginefutureme,tenortwentyyearsahead,howdoIimagineI’dlookatthisproblemdifferently?,92

WhatifItriedtocreateacarthatisunabletomove?Oranoventhatcan’tcook?,92

HaveIeversolvedaproblemlikethisbefore?,93

Haveotherpeoplewithmymotivationandabilitybeenabletoaccomplishsomethingremotelysimilar?,93

AmIreadyto“gopublic”?,93

DoIwanttobedoneordoIwanttoimprove?,95

(FeedbackQuestions):AmIcomingacross?;Whatdoyoulikeleastaboutthis?;WhatwouldyousuggestItry?,95;Ismygoaltostayatmycurrentlevelofskill,ortoimprove?;WhyamIresistanttosimplyacceptingthisgift?(offeedback);Whoare

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mytrustedadvisors?,96;Howdoyoufigureoutwhentolistentootherpeople—andwhentolistentoyourself?;IsthefeedbacksuggestingthatIaltermyvisionormerelyimproveupontheexecution?;IwaswonderingabouthowtoimproveXorY—whatwouldyousuggestItry?,97;HowwelldidItakethatfeedback?,98

HowdoIstay“enroute”?,98

HowcanIkeepmovingawayfromwhatIknow?,99

Shouldacreativepersonbemorelikeahummingbirdorajackhammer?,99

WhatamIwillingtoabandon?,100

HowmightI“goelectric”?,100

Whereismypetridish?,100

PARTIII:QuestionstoHelpCONNECTWITHOTHERS

Whyconnect?,103

Whynotdoastudyonromanticlove?,103

Howmightwe,inalaboratorysetting,findawaytocreateinstantintimacybetweenstrangers?,103

Couldquestionsbeusedtorekindleasparkamonglong-termcoupleswho’dgrownalittletoousedtoeachother?,104

Couldquestionsstrengthentherelationshipbetweenpeoplewhomighthavelessincommon—andmightevenbeadversarialinsomecases?,104

AmIgenuinelyinterestedintheotherperson?AmIabletoputmyegoasideandsuspendalljudgment?,105

AmIpreparedtotrulylisten,asopposedtojustactingasifIamlistening?,105

Whatifwegobeyond“Howareyou?”,108

Whydowegoaroundaskingeachothersuchpointlessquestions?,108

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(Ice-breakerQuestions):Whatwasthebestpartofyourweekend?;What’sthestrangest/mostinterestingthingaboutwhereyougrewup?;WhatwasitlikewhenyoufirstmovedtoBoise?What’sthesingleweirdestthingthateverhappenedtoyouthere?;What’sthebestthingthathappenedtoyoutoday?;Whatareyouexcitedaboutinyourliferightnow?;Whatareyoumostlookingforwardtoatthisgathering?;Whatareyoumostpassionateabout?;Whatproblemdoyouwishyoucouldsolve?;Whatdidyouwanttobewhenyouweregrowingup?,109

Whydidbeingwithastrangersooftenmeanwecouldn’timmediatelytalkaboutmeaningfulthings?,109

Whycan’twereplacesmalltalkwithbigtalkandaskeachotherprofoundquestionsrightfromthestart?,110

What’sthemostinloveyou’veeverfelt?;Whydidyoufallinlovewithyourwife?,110

(IntimacyQuestions):Whatwouldconstitutea“perfect”dayforyou?;Ifyoucouldchangeanythingaboutthewayyouwereraised,whatwoulditbe?;Whatdoesfriendshipmeantoyou?;Howdoyoufeelaboutyourrelationshipwithyourmother?;Whendidyoulastcryinfrontofanotherperson?Orbyyourself?;What,ifanything,istooserioustobejokedabout?,110

(MarriageQuestions):HowcompatibleamIwiththisperson,andistherepotentialforsomethingdeepandlasting?,110;Didyourfamilythrowplates?,111;Whatdoyouenvisionasouridealfuture?,111;Whatwouldmarriageofferusthatwedon’talreadyhave?,111.

(SpouseQuestions):Whendidyoufeelappreciatedtoday?;Willyourememberanyspecificpartoftodayayearfromnow?;HowcanImakeyourdayeasierinfiveminutes?;Ifwewereleavingforvacationtonight,wheredoyouwishwewereheading?;Whatmadeyoulaughtoday?;Whatdoyouwishyoudidmoreoftoday?,111

(QuestionstoAskYourKids):Whatwasthemostdifficultproblemyouhadtoday?Howcouldyouhavehandledthisdifferently?,111;Whathaveyoufailedatthisweek?;Ifyouwereaninventor—whatwouldyouinvent,andwhy?;Whatwasyourfirstthoughtwhenyouwokeuptoday?;Whoinyourclassseemslonely?;Whatdoyouthinkisthebiggestchallengefacingourworldtoday?,112

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(ListeningQuestions):HowmightIlistenwithmywholebody?,112;AmIreadytolistenfully?,Whatdoesitmeantolistenfully?,114;WhyAmITalking?(the“WAITquestion”),115;HowcanImakesureI’mreallyhearingwhatthispersonistryingtosay?;Justtobeclear,areyousayingx,y,andz?;Canyouexplainwhatyoumeanbythat?,Iimaginethatmadeyoufeel__,right?,116;Andwhatelse?(The“AWE”question),117;Isthereanythingelse?,118

Whatcouldwetryinordertosolvethisproblem...andwhatelse?,118

Whatissuesshouldourcompanybethinkingabout...andwhatelse?,118

Whatneedstohappenforthatfeelingtofeelbetter?,119

WhatifIadviselessandinquiremore?,119

Whyareweinclinedtoadviseothersonwhattheyshoulddo?,119

Howcanweusequestionstoguidethe“horse”towardthe“water”?,121

(AdviceQuestions):Whatisthechallengethatyou’refacing?;Whathaveyoutriedalready?;Ifyoucouldtryanythingtosolvethis,whatwouldyoutry?;Andwhatelse?;Andwhatelse?;Whichoftheseoptionsinterestsyoumost?;Whatmightstandinthewayofthisidea,andwhatcouldbedoneaboutthat?;Whatisonestepyoucouldtaketobeginactingonthis,rightaway?,121.

(CriticismQuestions):What’smotivatingthiscriticalurge?;HowamIguiltyofthethingI’mcriticizing?;HowwouldIreactifsomeonesaidsomethingsimilartome?;WhatpositiveresultdoIhopewillcomeofsayingthis?;AmIderivingpleasurefromcriticizing?,123.

Takemethroughwhathappenedonthisproject:Whatwentwell,whatdidyouhaveproblemswith,andwhatcanwelearnfromthatgoingforward?,124

(QuestionsforBridgingtheDivide):WhatifIreplacejudgmentwithcuriosity?,124;WhymightIwanttocrossthisparticulardivide?,126;AmIreallyinterestedinlearningfromtheotherside?;127;WhatcanIlearnfromthoseIdonotunderstand?;HowmightIconsiderbothsidesofthisdispute?,127;HowmightIownmyownbiases?,128;KnowingthatItendtoleaninonedirection,howmightthatbealteringmyviewofthisnewinformationorsituation?,129;Whatismyculturepreventingmefromseeing?,129;Whenyousay“freedom,”howareyoudefiningthatterm?;CanIbrieflylayoutforyouwhatIthink?;Canyoufindanythinginyourpositionthatgivesyoupause?;Isthereanythinginmypositionthatyouare

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attractedtoorfindinteresting?,131;Onascaleofonetoten(onehavingnovalueatall,tenbeing100percentrightandunassailable),howwouldyouratemyposition?Andyourown?;Ifyoudidn’tratemineaoneandyoursaten,whynot?;Canweimagineapositionthatmightatleastpartlysatisfybothofus?,132;Howmightwefindonesmallthingwecanactuallyagreeon?,133

Howmightweformastrongerpartnership?,133

ThepersonIloveandmarriedistellingmeoverandoveragainthatthisbehaviorisaproblem.Whydon’tIbelieveher?,134

IfIknewmymarriagewouldendpainfullyasaresultofsomethingIamdoingornotdoing,wouldIcontinuetomakethesamechoice?,134

CanItrytoexplainwhatIthinkyourpositionis—andthenyoucandothesameforme?,135

AmImissingabid?(WasthatabidfromalovedonethatIjustignoredwhilestaringatmyiPhone?),135

HowshouldIberespondingtothevariousbidscomingfrommypartner?,135

(QuestionsforYourBestFriend):Whatdoyoustrugglewithonaday-to-daybasis?;Whathaveyoualwayswantedtotry?;Ifyoucouldstartyourownnonprofit,whatwoulditbe?;Whatwouldbethetitleofyourautobiography?;Ifyouhadtoliveinanothercountryforayear,wherewouldthatbe?,135

Whatwasgoingthroughyourmindwhenyouheardthegoodnews?Youmusthavebeensoproudwhenyouheardaboutthis—whatwasthatlike?,136

Whatnewopportunitiesdoyouthinkthismightcreateforyou?,136

DoIwanttoberightordoIwantpeace?,136

Haveyoumadeclearyourconcernsabouttherelationship?,136

Wouldyoureallybehappierwithoutyourpartner?,137

Howmightwebegintosavethismarriage?,137

I’msorry.Iwaswrong.Willyoupleaseforgiveme?,137

Canquestioninghelpusconnectintheworkplace?,138

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HowcanIaskquestionsofcoworkerswithoutoversteppingboundsorputtingthemonthedefensive?,138

Whatismyjob?;HowmightIdoitbetter?,139

Givenallthechangesyesterday,whatismyjobtoday?,139

Whyarecertainproceduresandpracticesinplace?Whyisthatoldequipmentstillinuse?Whatmightbethebenefitsandcostsofmakingachange(topoliciesorequipment)andhowdifficultwoulditbetodothat?,140

Ihavenoticedthatourcompetitorsareusingnewsoftwarethatenablesthemtomovemuchmorequickly.I’mwonderinghowwemightadapttothis—andwhetherthere’sanythingspecificthatIcandodifferentlyinmyrole?,140

(QuestionsforYourBoss):Whatwouldyoudoinmyposition?;Whatdoesyouridealemployeelooklike?;What’stheonethingifIdiditdifferentlywouldmakeadifferencetoyou?;Whatismostimportantonyourlisttoaccomplishtoday—andisthereanywayIcanhelp?,141

Whyisithardformanagersto“questiondown”?,141

Areyousatisfiedwithyourownperformance?,142

Whatdoyouthinkisworkingwell,andwhatisnot?,142

Whatdoyounothavetimetoworkon,thatyou’dliketobeworkingon?,142

Whatquestionsdoyouhaveforme?,142

Anythingyou’dliketoknowaboutthenewpolicywe’reimplementing?Oraboutwhereweenvisionthiscompanyorthisdivisionfiveyearsfromnow?,142

I’mcurious,whydidyouchoosetodoitthisway?,143

What’sthecoolestthingyou’llbeworkingonthisweek?Whatareyouexcitedaboutinyourjobrightnow?,143

(QuestionsaboutaDifficultCo-worker):IsitpossibleI’moverreacting?;Whichofthisperson’sspecificbehaviorsmostbotherme?;Ofthose,whichactuallyinterferewithmyabilitytodomyjob?;Isthereawaytopolitelyaskthispersontomakeonechange?;Whocouldmediate?;HowmightIcreatedistance?,144

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Whatifwereplacethesalespitchwitha“questionpitch”?,144

Whatdoestheworldneedfromus?,144

Howmightweputourheadstogethertosolvethisproblemyourcompanyishaving?,146

Whatisourmissionandpurpose(asanorganization)?Whyarewehere?,146

PartIV:QuestionsforStrongerLEADERSHIP

Whatcanwedotorightthiswrong?,149

Whatisthetwenty-firstcenturydemandingofourstudents,andhowcantheschoolprovidethat?,151

Howdoyouinstillasenseofpossibilityinyoungpeoplelivingamidpovertyandhopelessness?Howdoyoukeepunderpaid,overworkedteachersfromburningout?,151

WhydoIchoosetolead?,155

Whatifwesaidtoourwould-beleaders,‘Takethisroleonlyifyoucaredesperatelyabouttheissueathand’?,156

WhydoIwanttoleadthisendeavororthesepeople?;Whywouldtheywantmetoleadthem?;Doestheanswertothefirstquestionalsoworkasananswertothesecond?,156

Howdoyouwanttoleverageyourspecialgiftsandintereststomaketheworldabetterplace?,156

AmIwillingtostepbackfromindividualachievement—inordertohelpothersmoveforward?,157

DoIhavetheconfidencetobehumble?,158

AmIwillingtostepbackinordertohelpothersmoveforward?

DoIhavetheconfidencetobehumble?

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CanIlearntokeeplearning?

DoIseektocreateanorganizationinmyownimage?

AmIcourageousenoughtoabandonthepast?,160

HowmightIstimulatemyowncuriosity?,160

DoIsurroundmyselfwithinspiring,sometimesevenodd,bigthinkers?Ismyschedulepackedwithmeetingsanddailydecisions,orfreedtoexplorenewfrontiers?DoIuseeveryinteraction,fromthecolleaguetothedriver,toasknewpeopleabouthowtheythinkandfeel?,161

AmIbringingtogetherdiversepeoplewhocansharepointsofviewthatImightbemissing?,161

WhymustIretreatinordertolead?,162

WhatcouldIhavedonedifferently?,163

Doesmythinkingsoundrighttoyou?Doesitsoundlikeme?AmImissingsomething?,163

Whatismycode?,164

WhenhaveIbeenatmybest?Whatdroveorinspiredmeatthosetimes?,164

WhathaveIlearnedaboutworkingwithotherpeople(indoingso,whenhaveIbeeneffective,andwhatcausedthat?),164

WhenhaveItakenaprincipledstand?WhathaveIgoneoutofmywaytodefend?,164

WhenhaveIfailedtoeffectivelymeetgoalsorleadothers—andwhatdidIseemtobedoingwrong?WhendidIfailtotakeastand—andwhy?,165

Whoaremyformativeinfluencers?,165

WhenhaveIcomeupshort—andwhy?,165

Whatismystory?Whatismylogline?,166

DidIliveuptomyowncode?Inwhatwaysdidmybehaviorfailtomatchmystatedvalues?HowwouldIdoitdifferently?,166

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(OrganizationMissionQuestions):Whyarewehereinthefirstplace?,166;Whenhavewe,asanorganization,beenatourbest?Whathavewestoodforthroughoutourhistory?;Whydowematter,andtowhom?;Ifwedisappearedtomorrow,whowouldmissus?;Whatdowedothatotherorganizationscan’torwon’tdo?;Whatareweagainst?;Howmightwebenotjustacompanybutacause?,167;Whatisourhighercalling?,168

WhatistheleastIcando?,168

Whydootherwisesuccessfulpeoplegettrippedupbythetrivial?.168

Whatifwestoppedcelebratingbeingbusyasameasureofimportance?,169

WhichproblemdoIwant?,169

Isthisnecessary?Ifweaddthis,whatdowestandtolose?,169

WhatdoIwanttogobigon?,170

Whatshouldwestopdoing?,170

Whydoesthisrule(orthisprocess)existinthefirstplace?Ifitmadesenseonce,doesitstillmakesensenow?,170

Whatstupidrulewouldyoumostliketokill?,171

Atthismoment,whatisthehighest,bestuseofmytime?,171

Whattrulymatters?,171

WhatistheonethingIcandothatwouldmakeeverythingelseeasierorunnecessary?,171

(VisionaryQuestions):Ifanoraclecouldtellyouwhat’sgoingtohappenthreeyearsfromnow,whatwouldyoumostwanttoknow?;Howcanwebecomethecompanythatwouldputusoutofbusiness?Whatmightthispredatorlooklike,andwhywouldithaveanadvantageoverus?,173;Whatifwehadthecapabilitytodowhatwenowdomuchfasterandmoreefficiently—whatmightthatenableustoachieve?;Whatifwecreatedtheidealworkplaceforouremployees—whatmighttheirworkdaylooklike?,;Whodowewantourcustomerstobecome?:Howcanwebraceourselvesforthethirdwave?;Whatwouldtheseventhgenerationthinkabout

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whatwe’redoing?;HowmightImaketomorrowvisible?;Whatisour“visionquestion”?,174

Whoareyouspendingtimewith?Onwhattopics?Whereareyoutravelling?Whatareyoureading?,175

Whataretheimplicationsofthisdecisiontenminutes,tenmonths,andtenyearsfromnow?,175

What’sgoingonoutthere—andhowcanIhelp?,176

Whatisgoingwell?Whatarewedoingright?,177

Whyareyoustillhere?(sittinginyouroffice),179

WhatshouldIaskallthesepeople?,179

AmIlookingforwhat’sbroken...orwhat’sworking?,180

Helpmeunderstandwhatledtothedeadlineissues?Howmightweexpeditetheworkwithoutcompromisingquality?HowcanIhelp?,180

HowcanImakesuretheconversationisaboutthem—theirneeds,theirinterests—andnotaboutme?,181

AmIseekingtheirthoughts,insteadofjustofferingmyown?AmIfocusedontheirpriorities,notmine?,181

AmIofferingthemchoicesandoptions,insteadoftellingthemwhattodo?,181

(QuestionsNottoAskEmployees):How’sitgoing?;Whydidyou___?;Whoscreweduphere?;Haven’twetriedthisalready,181

(QuestionsYouShouldAskThem):What’sthebiggestchallengeyou’refacing?;Areyoumakingprogress?;Helpmeunderstandwhatledto___?;Isitclearwhatwe’redoingandwhy?;HowcanIhelp?,181;Didyoudoyourbesttomakeprogresstoday?;Whatarewedoingthat’sgettinginyourway?;Whatareyouworkingonrightnowthatyou’remostexcitedabout?,;Whatinspiredyoutotakethisapproach?,182;Howwouldyouliketoseeyourselfgrowinginthisrole?,183

Wouldmyemployees,ifasked,beabletoarticulatethecompany’svisionandpriorities?,183

Question Index

©WarrenBergerp.19/21

Whatdoyoudoinyourlifeoutsideworkthatismostinspiring?Whatdoyoudotokeeplearningandgrowingasaperson?,183

WhatifwecouldtakethatpassionyouhaveforXandsomehowbringittolifehere?Howmightwedothat?,183

DoIreallywantacultureofcuriosity?,184

Whywouldaleaderwanttoencouragemorequestioning?Whyopenthelidandreleaseapotentialtorrentofemployeequestions?,184

Ifpeoplestartaskingmorequestionsatyourcompany,whatwillyoudowiththosequestions?Whatifyoudon’tlikethequestionsyouremployeesareasking?,185

AmIreadytoannounce“Bringustheproblemsyou’venoticed?”,186

WhatisthecultureIwant,andwhatactionsandconditionsarelikelytoproducesuchaculture?,187

Howcanwemakequestioningsafe?Howcanwemakeitrewarding?Howcanwemakeitproductive?Howmightwemakeitahabit?,187

Whynothaveeverymanagerorsupervisorthroughoutthecompanyparticipateinaweeklyormonthly“Askmeanything”session?,188

Howcanwemakeacultureofinquirystick?,188

Whatifeverymeetingbeganwithaquestion?Whatifthecompanyheldregularlyscheduled“questiondays”—duringwhichgroupscometogethertoask,Whatassumptionscanwechallengetoday?,191

Whatifyouaskemployeestocomeupwithoneambitiousquestionaweek,tobesharedwiththeircolleagues?,191

Iknowwedisagreeonthis,butwillyougamblewithmeonit?[Canwe]disagreeandcommit?’,192

WhosevoicemightIhavemissedhearing—andhowmightIamplifythisvoice?,192

CONCLUSION:TheInquiringLife

Question Index

©WarrenBergerp.20/21

HowmightIbegintoactonmyquestions?,195

Canwesimplyadviseourselvesto“questionmore”andthenexpectthatshiftintoquestioningmodewillhappenwhenneeded?,195

Didyouasktheimportantquestionsyou’resupposedtoask?,196

HowmightIrewardmyselfforquestioning?,199

HowcanIwarmupmyquestioningmuscles?,200

CanIbuildabetterquestion?,201

HowmightItestmybuilt-inbaloneydetector?,203

IsthisbadfeelingIhavereallytrue?Isthereanotherwayofviewingthissituation?,205

WhatifIlookedattheworldaroundmewithafresheye?,205

WhatifAttilatheHunwasploppeddowninSiliconValley?Whatifapotatopeelerwerecombinedwithgloves?,207

What’sinterestingaboutit,andwhatdoesn’twork?Isthereasimilarbutdifferentcombinationthatmightbemoreinteresting?,207

How(andwithwhom)shallIbreaktheice?,208

WhatifIapproachedthispartyasifIwereajournalist,lookingforstoriesaboutthepeopleinattendance?,208

(L.I.F.E.ExerciseQuestions):WhatweirdLITTLEthingsticksoutinyourmindfromthisweek?WhatpieceofINFORMATIONdidyoulearnthisweek?IsthereanythingyoutriedandFAILEDatthisweek?WhatmemorableEXCHANGEdidyouhavethisweek?,209

(Self-interviewQuestions):Whatisyourbiggestdreaminlife?;Whenyouwereachild,whoorwhatdidyouwanttobe?;Whenyouhavefailed,howdidyourespond?;Ifpeoplewereaskedhowyoutreatthem,whatdoyouthinkthey’dsay?;Whatisyoursentence?(Meaning,ifyouhadtosummarizeyourlifeinonesentence,whatwouldthatsentencebe?);Whatisyourtennisball?(Whatisthethingthatyouchaseasintentlyasadogchasesatennisball?);Whatareyoutryingtogetbetterat?,211

Question Index

©WarrenBergerp.21/21

Canquestioninghelpbringmyfamilyclosertogether?,212

(FamilyHeritageQuestions):Wherewereourancestorsborn?Whendidtheyarriveinthiscountry?;Whatmightourancestorshavehadtoovercometogethere?;Whataresometraditionsthathavebeenpasseddownthroughourfamily?Whenandhowdidtheygetstarted?;Whataresomefamilystoriesthatyouknow?ThatIknow?;Inparticular,whatdifficultiesdidthefamilyhavetobouncebackfrom?;Whatweresomeofthegreatestaccomplishmentsbyfamilymembersthroughtheyears?;Whatdothestoriesmeantoustoday?;Whataresomeclassicfamilyjokesorsongs?,212

(FamilyPurpose/MissionQuestions):Whatdoesitmeantobepartofthisfamily?;IshowyoufeelaboutbeingpartofthisfamilydifferentthanhowIfeel?;Ofallthefamilymembersyouhaveeitherknownorheardstoriesabout,whodoyouthinklivedthemostinterestinglife?Why?;Whatareourfamilyvalues?;Whatisthisfamilytryingtodobeyonddailyliving?What’sthegreaterpurposeofourfamily?;Howmightwecreatea“Howmightwe”missionquestionforthefamily?;HowmightIcontributetothemission?,213

WhatifItrademyresolutionsfor“questolutions”?,213

HowmightImeetmoreinterestingpeoplethisyear?HowmightIgetmyselftodrinkmorewater?,214

HowmightIencourageotherstoquestionmore?,215

Izzy,didyouaskagoodquestiontoday?,216

Whatismyone“bigbeautifulquestion”?,216

Whereandhowmightyoufindyourbigbeautifulquestion?,217