T HE UNTAPPED POWER OF QUESTIONS Craig Dowden, Ph.D.

C ONCENTRATION.... T ESTING 1, 2, 3

Questions Drive Behaviour W HY ASKING QUESTIONS IS IMPORTANT

Effective Conflict Resolution

Asking Questions Saves Lives W HY ASKING QUESTIONS IS IMPORTANT

Inquiry versus advocacy High performing teams: 1.1 to 1 Low performing teams: 0.05 to 1 W HY ASKING QUESTIONS IS IMPORTANT Developing Peak Performance

Word Time Challenge Leadership W HY ASKING QUESTIONS IS IMPORTANT

C OMMUNICATION “The danger in communication, is the illusion that it has been accomplished.” -George Bernard Shaw “ I know you think you understand what you thought I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant. ” -Alan Greenspan

Fear of looking weak, ignorant or indecisive Pressure to conform I DENTIFYING B ARRIERS T O A SKING Q UESTIONS

Fear of looking weak, ignorant or indecisive Pressure to conform Afraid of the answer No time Lack of skill I DENTIFYING B ARRIERS T O A SKING Q UESTIONS

Self-Serving Bias

I DENTIFYING B ARRIERS T O A SKING Q UESTIONS

Self-Serving Bias Feedback “Receives negative feedback without becoming defensive.” “Seeks feedback on ways he/she can improve.” I DENTIFYING B ARRIERS T O A SKING Q UESTIONS

Self-Serving Bias 83% Confident or Very Confident 27% Confident or Very Confident My Decision MakingOthers’ Decision Making 27% 83% I DENTIFYING B ARRIERS T O A SKING Q UESTIONS

“... the last of human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given circumstances, to choose one’s way.” -Viktor Frankl M INDSET : THE KEY TO GREAT QUESTIONS

T HE I MPORTANCE OF M INDSET

M INDSET : THE KEY TO GREAT QUESTIONS JudgerLearner BlameResponsibility Either/or thinkingBoth/and thinking Defends assumptionsQuestions assumptions Possibilities limitedPossibilities endless Primary mood: ProtectivePrimary mood: Curious Fears differencesValues differences Feedback perceived as rejection Feedback perceived as worthwhile Listens for right/wrongListens for facts

M INDSET : THE KEY TO GREAT QUESTIONS Judger QuestionsLearner Questions What’s wrong?What works? Whose fault is it?What am I responsible for? What’s wrong with me?What do I want? How can I prove I’m right?What can I learn? How will this be a problem? What are the facts? What’s useful about this? Why is that person so stupid and frustrating? What is the other person thinking, feeling, and wanting? How can I be in control?What’s the big picture? Why bother?What’s possible?

Craig Dowden, Ph.D. Q UESTIONS AND C OMMENTS Thank you!