“We thought that we had the
answers, it was the questions we had wrong.” – Bono
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| Look Deeper |
Growth- and power or ‘gro-pro’ questions are those that
leave you feeling encouraged, optimistic, uplifted, positive, resourceful,
energetic, capable, and in control.These are the questions that reveal a
lot more than they inquire. They fill you with power.They deepen your
understanding of yourself.They are a greater asset because of the glittering
residue they leave behind;a certain courage that comes with the knowledge gained.At
the same time gro-pro questions have a specific character .They are defined by
a set of clear parameters.Lets have a look.
Realism.
Pro-gro questions are essentially aimed at understanding
real life situations.Not for some abstract /hypothetical situation.They
are related to real people.People who will be involved with a
specific situation,a specific problem,a relationship issue,or a work life
setting.
Here you need to step back and frame the query around the person
or persons who you will need to interact with in, a problem setting.Of course
the precondition is that they must culminate in answers that
encourage,enlighten,and create a “solution envelope”.For instance “What
can I learn from this interaction with xyz ? How can I use this episode
to increase my understanding? How can I benefit from it?”
The question should be actually related to something which
we do not have answers about . For instance consider this, “how can we
get started on xyz project? What might happen if we did that?”
Range of Responses Incited
We should be clear about what the gro pro question will incite in
the people handling it.What kind of emotions, implications, comprehension,
understanding will it involve?If we frame a question that is emotive,or complex
, related to debatable,or conflicting possibilities, we have to be
prepared to assimilate the possible responses likely to emerge.This is
particularly true for subjects related to say,agreement with personal
tastes,or freedom of speech,salaries in a working environment, criteria for
integrity,or deeper values etc.In this line,a question like “Do the
emotions of regret,shame, or guilt serve any purpose?", is likely to
produce a variety of subjective responses;all open to detailed discussion.
Fresh Thinking
The question must make ground for new /fresh thinking.An
empowering “pro gro” question should facilitate introduction of a new line of
thinking,if possible. A question like “what was the best news you’ve ever
received?"is asking you to recollect a memory.There is no evaluation or
effort required here.It is evidently different from “How would you
explain eternity?” Or “ What is the nature of miracles?”.A lot of original
insight is likely to emerge from the latter questions,than the first one.
Familiar Lanes
The question should be related to something known or at least
familiar. It should also be something new to evoke a fresh response or insight.
An unfamiliar ,unrelated question is likely to pass overhead.For instance, ask
a group of workmen at a construction site something techy like, “What’s
the possible effect of the Earth’s spin and precession on the centre of
gravity of the multi storey tower under construction?”.Depending on
their inclination,and their patience,they might at best shrug it off as a prank
;or more gravely, dismiss it with an epithet.But if you ask
them “How do you think we could increase the efficacy of that
power jack?”.Surely they will respond differently.
Hazard of Inherent Presupposition
There must be no presupposition inherent in the way a gro pro
question is framed.Presuppositions only fill the evident vaccum generated by
the query,and leave a bias in its wake.
In a real life situation in the 90's,during the presidential
election, just after George Bush had announced Dan Quayle as his running mate a
television news organization conducted a nationwide poll.They asked people to
call a 900 number to answer the question, "Does it bother you that Dan
Quayle used his family's influence to go into the National Guard and stay out
of Vietnam?"Though such a fact has never been substantiated, the average
man on the street most likely adopted a bias about the subject.The
presupposition in the question possibly contributed to history.
Another example is “what’s missing in your life? What one thing
would make your life complete?”.Naturally it assumes there is something amiss,
something needs fixing.And so we will find ourselves looking for a fix ;based
on an assumption.
Faith ,Hope,and Innovation
The gro pro question must reinforce novelty,or faith,or hope
for betterment,or innovation. Characteristically ,there is hope for
improvement and growth here with a question like “What would I do
differently if I weren't so worried about the outcome? What can
I do to feel better or be more successful?”
Focus on Improvement
The question should have elbow space for further development and
improvement. These questions are centered in assurance.Also there is a
possibility of growth,and a focus on shaping the process for reaching the
solution.For instance “If succeeding was not an issue, what concrete
actions,or risks would I take?
Over to you my friends......
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