That’s a great question…

If you’ve ever read my profile on the blog, you will know that the very essence of “genuine curiosity” as a concept is that you change your interactions with the world by asking open-ended, evocative questions.

Yes/No is a no-no

The main thing to remember with the genuine curiosity concept is that the questions should not be answerable with a yes/no response (unlike my daughter’s unusual questionnaire, at right). 

The idea is to get people to talk and see where the conversation goes.

I’ve heard some great questions since I’ve started listening for them.  Back in 2005, I wrote about a few general purpose “discovery questions,” best used on others – especially people you don’t know very well.

Going deeper

I have started a list of the really great questions I hear, and my favorites are those that cause really deep thinking.  These can be used on others as coaching exercises or, in many cases, on yourself to get to a deeper level of introspection.

One guy that has Great questions is Michael Bungay Stanier from Box of Crayons.  I’ve heard a number of his questions from interviews he’s done with David Allen (the “GTD Guy”) and have enjoyed them immensely.

I finally got around to watching an awesome, 5 minute film that Michael has created called “The 5.75 Questions You’ve Been Avoiding.”  This is an entertaining way to get to some really insightful questions – ones that can really help you improve yourself if you’re willing to put in the time to think about them.

After watching the video, if you like how he thinks be sure & check out the “Great Work Blog.” 

Comments

[Mike Wilson]

Left after 30 seconds of intro. Can't get behind someone wasting my time like that.

[Dwayne Melancon]

Good to know, Mike - I guess a flash video isn't the best delivery method for everyone. Sorry you felt it was a waste of time.

[Michael]

Dwayne

Hey - thanks for the kind mentions, they're much appreciated. Even if not everyone likes the movie!

Michaelwww.FindYourGreatWork.com

[Matthew Cornell]

Great topic, Dwayne. I am *constantly* working to ask open ended questions, rather than y/n. The habit to do the latter stems (I think) from the assumption that I know everything of importance, and that I'm simply trying to get the fastest verification response from someone. Bad idea. Edward de Bono has an AMAZING book called "PO," which is a concept between Yes and No. That book blew my mind, and I bet you'd like it. Re: question collections, another person who gets it is Scott Ginsberg. When he and I talked about idea capture systems, he shared that he has a separate Question Capture system, which I adore. I'm creating a philosophy of life based on the scientific method (http://www.thinktrylearn.com/) and questions are central. They are an expression of our innate curiosity, and open us up to the the idea of "I don't know."

Cheers!