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Question Index
©WarrenBergerp.1/21
(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
Question Index
©WarrenBergerp.2/21
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
Question Index
©WarrenBergerp.3/21
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
Question Index
©WarrenBergerp.4/21
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
Question Index
©WarrenBergerp.5/21
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
Question Index
©WarrenBergerp.6/21
(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
Question Index
©WarrenBergerp.7/21
(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
Question Index
©WarrenBergerp.8/21
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
Question Index
©WarrenBergerp.9/21
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
Question Index
©WarrenBergerp.10/21
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
Question Index
©WarrenBergerp.11/21
(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
Question Index
©WarrenBergerp.12/21
(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
Question Index
©WarrenBergerp.13/21
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
Question Index
©WarrenBergerp.14/21
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
Question Index
©WarrenBergerp.15/21
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?
Question Index
©WarrenBergerp.16/21
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
Question Index
©WarrenBergerp.17/21
(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
Question Index
©WarrenBergerp.18/21
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