The Power of a Good Question

Not too long ago I wrote a piece on powerful questions with a good friend and colleague, Kathleen Masters. I’ve noticed that one of the most common questions I am asked as a consultant and facilitator is about asking powerful questions. People do everything from worry about it to ignore it. Panic in the flatness to exult in the viral engagement. Many want to sharpen their question-asking skills. Many are trying to simplify. Many are trying to encourage more honesty.

This article was written particularly for a faith community audience. But the relevance for improved questions matters pretty much everywhere. I carry a bias that says a big part of our job as humans, is to be curious with one another. To suspend an ever attractive and seductive certainty to explore and witness the territory of the subjective. It is work to do together.

Here’s the highlights Kathleen and I suggested — they came through many dialogues together. There is short description on each of these that follow.

Is the questions meaningful?
Does the question invite curiosity and reflective listening?
Does the question challenge assumptions?
Does the question lead to other questions?
Is the question simple?
Does the question lead to possibility?
Does the question welcome a quality of caring together?
Does the question look for more than yes or no as a response?
Is the question appropriately sequenced?

Kathleen and I also included a section on Tips. They are a few perspectives that help most of us have freedom in our questions.

 

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Gifts of Circle - Question Cardsasd
Gifts of Circle is 30 short essays divided into 4 sections: 1) Circle's Bigger Purpose, 2) Circle's Practice, 3) Circle's First Requirements, and 4) Circle's Possibility for Men. From the Introduction: "Circle is what I turn to in the most comprehensive stories I know -- the stories of human beings trying to be kind and aware together, trying to make a difference in varied causes for which we need to go well together. Circle is also what I turn to in the most immediate needs that live right in front of me and in front of most of us -- sharing dreams and difficulties, exploring conflicts and coherences. Circle is what I turn to. Circle is what turns us to each other."

Question Cards is an accompanying tool to Gifts of Circle. Each card (34) offers a quote from the corresponding chapter in the book, followed by sample questions to grow your Circle hosting skills and to create connection, courage, and compassionate action among groups you host in Circle.

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In My Nature
is a collection of 10 poems. From A Note of Beginning: "This collection of poems arises from the many conversations I've been having about nature. Nature as guide. Nature as wild. Nature as organized. I remain a human being that so appreciates a curious nature in people. That so appreciates questions that pick fruit from inner being, that gather insights and intuitions to a basket, and then brings the to table to be enjoyed and shared over the next week."

This set of Note Cards (8 cards + envelopes)  quotes a few favorite passages from poems in In My Nature. I offer them as inspiration. And leave room for you to write personal notes.

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Most Mornings is a collection of 37 poems. I loved writing them. From the introduction: "This collection of poems comes from some of my sense-making that so often happens in the morning, nurtured by overnight sleep. The poems sample practices. They sample learnings. They sample insights and discoveries. They sample dilemmas and concerns."

This set of Note Cards (8 cards + envelopes)  quotes a few favorite passages from poems in Most Mornings. I offer them as inspiration. And leave room for you to write personal notes.

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