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Let's follow Benjamin...

We tried teaching people conflict resolution,/ coaching,/ and mentoring,/ and we gave them checklists,/ and processes,/ and tools.// Bottom-line:/ none of these created the sustainable improvement/ that we were looking for.// So,/ when we were looking for that improvement,/ we decided to step back/ and ask a different question:/ “What do top performers do?”.// Finally,/ we found one skill/ that was common to all top performers.// They developed ability to ask good questions.// Now,/ I know that sounds simple,/ but what they asked/ and how they asked was very different.// For example,/ many of them were able to suspend their judgment/ just long enough to understand someone else's perspective,/ and in doing so,/ they were able to reduce the conflict,/ develop a common language,/ and create a shared vision.// So as the situation evolved,/ so did their thinking.// Now,/ I know we all ask a lot of questions,/ and that's a really good thing.// We want people to be asking lots and lots of questions.// But what we found,/ however,/ is that most questions are safe,/ that is,/ they surface what is already/ seen or understood.// They lead to regurgitated ideas and opinions.// In other words,/ most questions that people ask/ really/ surface what is already known.//

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Top performers, however, they ask questions that go deep. They ask questions that move us from automatic and reactionary thinking to deep thinking. They ask questions that inspire creativity, fuel passion, and lead to profound ideas, and most importantly, they ask questions that spur people into action. In other words, they ask questions that demystify the unknown, and in doing so, open up an ocean of possibilities. Now, our brain is an amazing searchable data base, linking emotions, memories, events, and experiences together to form answers to our endless questions. The success of a good answer, however, relies on the words we choose. Our words have amazing power on our brain. How we use words in framing our questions is what differentiates a good question from a bad question. Let me give you an example. When we saw people put into the simulation, or confronted with these challenges, and they started to make decisions. The teams that were struggling would ask, "What should we do?" and it was almost as though the options in front of them were just narrowed down. They became very short-term focused, whereas the other teams would ask, "What could we do?" and it was like the ocean of possibilities opened up to them.

Let's follow Benjamin...

Top performers,/ however,/ they ask questions that go deep.// They ask questions that move us from/ automatic and reactionary thinking/ to deep thinking.// They ask questions that inspire creativity,/ fuel passion,/ and lead to profound ideas,/ and most importantly,/ they ask questions that spur people into action.// In other words,/ they ask questions that/ demystify the unknown,/ and in doing so,/ open up an ocean of possibilities.// Now, our brain is an amazing searchable data base,/ linking emotions,/ memories,/ events,/ and experiences together/ to form answers/ to our endless questions.// The success of a good answer,/ however,/ relies on the words we choose.// Our words have an amazing power on our brain./ How we use words/ in framing our questions/ is what differentiates a good question/ from a bad question.// Let me give you an example.// When we saw people put into the simulation,/ or confronted with these challenges,/ and they started to make decisions.// The teams that were struggling would ask,/ "What should we do?"/ and it was almost as though/ the options in front of them were just narrowed down.// They became very short-term focused,/ whereas the other teams/ would ask,/ "What could we do?"/ and it was like the ocean of possibilities/ opened up to them.//