The Context
Questions derive their power from the context in which they are asked, and the time provided for people to think and reflect. They may otherwise seem mundane and ordinary, or even contrived. Imagine putting the questions below to work in circumstances that invite people to challenge their status quo.
Because context plays such an important role in using powerful questions no attempt has been made to place them in categories. Soulful for one may be practical for another.
Attributions are made when known.
The Questions
- Where is the dividing line between “me” and “them”? [John Barbuto]
- What would you buy if you were selling to yourself?
- What question is at the heart of what you do? (Note that the answer to the question is itself a question.)
- If you had no authority, what would you do?
- What is the probability that we will manage or lead differently if the questions we are trying to answer remain the same?
