This document discusses the importance and power of asking questions. It notes that children ask many questions from ages 4 but that questioning declines as they get older due to pressures from parents, teachers, bosses, and lack of time. It argues that focusing narrowly can prevent seeing other perspectives. The document advocates asking more and better questions to prevent disasters, gain clarity and shape the future. It provides examples of how assumptions can have painful consequences if wrong. Techniques like the "5 Whys" and "How Might We" questions are presented as ways to challenge existing ways of thinking and find new solutions. The overall message is that regularly questioning perceptions and seeking different perspectives can lead to better outcomes.
11. Questions Drop Off the Cliff
After Age 4
Source: amorebeautifulquestion.com
12. Why Fewer Questions?
Parents say, “Enough!”
Teachers say, “Give me answers!”
Bosses say, “My way or the highway!”
You say, “I don’t have time.”
22. Situation: Man lying in the
gutter
Person 1
A bum lying in the
gutter
Assumption:
Only bums lie in
gutters.
Person 2
A unconscious/hurt
man lying in the
gutter who needs
help.
Assumption:
Anyone lying in the
gutter is in need of
help.
29. "In light of what happened, I
would say we thought we had
done all we could. Obviously
something went terribly wrong.“
- Dan Dorgan, MnDOT Bridge Engineer,
shortly after collapse of the I-35 bridge
32. “If I had an hour to solve
a problem and my life
depended on the solution,
I would spend the first
55 minutes determining
the proper question
to ask, for once I know
the proper question,
I could solve the problem
in less than 5 minutes.”
- Albert Einstein
33. What: Questions Challenge . . .
Perceptions & bias
The “way it’s always been done”
Lack of clarity
What
34. The First Step in a Critical Conversation is to realize that there are
different perspectives
It can be a matter of perspective . . .
45. Goals—broad aims
Healthy for longer, active life
Slim and strong appearance
Inspire others to healthier living
46. Objectives & Schedule–
results & level of change
Lose Weight
20 lbs (9/7 to 12/20)
Increase Fitness
plank time from 1 min to 5 min
# full push ups from 2 to 20
cardio circuit time from 6:40 min to 3 min
47. Tasks-Daily
Weigh-in
Eat mostly Paleo-style
Record Food Intake, adj. for 1#/week loss
10,000 steps
Stretching, planks/push ups
3X/week minimum, exercise room/weights
48. Budget, Resources
Budget, $0 (other than food)
Resources (already have)
Fitbit
Aria Scale (syncs with Fitbit)
Exercise room with equipment
Workout clothes
Various Cookbooks, Recipe Sources
Apps:
○ Fitbit, MyFitnessPal, FitList
49. Risk Assessment &
Management
Risk: Exercise Procrastination
Manage: Exercise in AM
Risk: Poor food choices, esp. meals out
Manage: reduce meals out
Manage: preview menus online
Manage: Plan meals weekly, prep on weekends
50. Your Turn: Personal Project
Clarity
Goals—broad aims?
Objectives—results and level of change?
Schedule?
Tasks?
Resources?
Budget?
Risk Assessment & Management?
51. How: Asking Questions
Probing: 5 Whys
Question storming
How might we . . . ?
What if . . . ?
How
53. For want of a nail the shoe was lost,
for want of a shoe the horse was lost,
for want of a horse the knight was lost,
for want of a knight the battle was lost,
for want of a battle the kingdom was lost.
So a kingdom was lost—all for want of a nail.
Root Cause: For Want of a
Nail
57. How to Question Storm
1. Identify problem
2. Question storm at least 25 questions
3. No discussion, judging, or answering
4. Write questions on whiteboard
5. Prioritize top 3-5 questions to answer
6. Then brainstorm for solutions
58. How might we . . . ?
How are we going to tackle project XYZ?
Vs.
How might we tackle project XYZ?