an online book by David Gurteen
A question is an utterance which serves as a request for information. Questions are sometimes distinguished from interrogatives, which are the grammatical forms, typically used to express them. Rhetorical questions, for instance, are interrogative in form but may not be considered bona fide questions, as they are not expected to be answered.
Questions come in a number of varieties. For instance; Polar questions are those such as the English example "Is this a polar question?", which can be answered with "yes" or "no". Alternative questions such as "Is this a polar question, or an alternative question?" present a list of possibilities to choose from. Open questions such as "What kind of question is this?" allow many possible resolutions.
Questions are widely studied in linguistics and philosophy of language. In the subfield of pragmatics, questions are regarded as illocutionary acts which raise an issue to be resolved in discourse. In approaches to formal semantics such as alternative semantics or inquisitive semantics, questions are regarded as the denotations of interrogatives, and are typically identified as sets of the propositions which answer them.
Credit: Wikipedia - questionsThe easiest success measurement tool is a simple question. What did you do today to move forward? The easiest project plan on earth is also a simple question. What will you do tomorrow to move forward? At the end of each day, document your success and design your next move. Credit: Rich DiGirolamo Posts where … Continue reading The Easiest Success Measurement Tool Is a Simple Question Rich DiGirolamo
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 five minutes. Credit: Albert Einstein Posts where this quotation is embedded A … Continue reading If I Had an Hour to Solve a Problem Albert Einstein
A powerful question provokes us to think deeply and to engage intensely in conversation with others which leads to a deeper or broader understanding of a subject and new insights. It potentially changes the direction in which we are moving. Credit: David Gurteen Posts where this quotation is embedded A Conversation Dinner in Turin Knowledge menu … Continue reading What Is a Powerful Question? David Gurteen
Questions are more transforming than answers. The skill is getting the questions right. The traditional conversations that seek to explain, study, analyze, define tools, and express the desire to change others are interesting but not powerful. Questions open the door to the future and are more powerful than answers in that they demand engagement. Engagement … Continue reading Questions Are More Transforming Than Answers Peter Block
The art of asking the right questions | Tim Ferriss, Warren Berger, Hope Jahren & more Posts where this video is embedded A Conversation Dinner in Turin Knowledge menu à la carte Al Jazeera Cafe An interesting experiment not to deabate but engage in a global conversation Analyze Logical Fallacies Use the chatbot to analyze logical fallacies Are There … Continue reading The Art of Asking the Right Questions Tim Ferriss, Warren Berger, Hope Jahren & more
Everything we know has its origins in questions. Questions, we might say, are the principal intellectual instruments available to human beings. Credit: Neil Postman Books: Neil PostmanPower of Questions Neil PostmanQuotations: Neil PostmanPower of Questions Neil PostmanTags: Neil Postman (1) | questions (24) | thinking (34)Google Web Search Photo Credits: Pixabay (Pixabay)This quotation is part of … Continue reading Power of Questions Neil Postman
Gurteen Knowledge Blog May 29, 2024, 09:31Intellectual humility and open-mindedness are vital for constructive dialogue. Polarization and confirmation bias hinder productive conversations on complex issues. Asking How could you or I be wrong about this? promotes self-reflection, critical thinking, and openness to alternative perspectives. Knowledge Letter: Issue: 288 (Subscribe)Tags: beliefs (67) | questions (24) | refutation … Continue reading How Could You or I Be Wrong About This? A crucial question to ask in a conversation
Gurteen Knowledge Blog November 22, 2024, 19:00Conversations shape how we connect, collaborate, and solve problems. Groups often struggle to focus on the correct issues, approach discussions constructively, or build a sense of community. Asking thoughtful questions can guide meaningful dialogue, ensuring conversations address vital needs, encourage participation, and strengthen relationships. I describe these three questions in … Continue reading Three Conversation Questions The power of thoughtful questions
Powerful questions are those that, in the answering, evoke a choice for accountability and commitment. Credit: Peter Block Posts where this quotation is embedded A Conversation Dinner in Turin Knowledge menu à la carte Al Jazeera Cafe An interesting experiment not to deabate but engage in a global conversation Analyze Logical Fallacies Use the chatbot to analyze logical … Continue reading Powerful Questions Evoke a Choice for Accountability and Commitment Peter Block
Our most effective knowledge management tool is conversation. The words we choose, the questions we ask, and the metaphors we use to explain ourselves are what determine our success in creating new knowledge as well as sharing that knowledge with each other. Credit: Nancy Dixon Posts where this quotation is embedded A Conversation Dinner in Turin … Continue reading Our Most Effective Knowledge Management Tool Is Conversation Nancy Dixon
I do not pretend to start with precise questions. I do not think you can start with anything precise. You have to achieve such precision as you can, as you go along. Credit: Bertrand Russell Posts where this quotation is embedded A Conversation Dinner in Turin Knowledge menu à la carte Al Jazeera Cafe An interesting experiment … Continue reading I Do Not Pretend to Start with Precise Questions Bertrand Russell
Gurteen Knowledge Blog December 15, 2020, 14:40I love Seth Godin’s blog. Almost every post is short, and each one is a gem. Here is a lovely example titled Ten questions for work that matters. What are you doing that’s difficult? What are you doing that people believe only you can do? Who are you connecting? What … Continue reading Ten Questions for Work That Matters What contribution are you making?
In this book, A More Beautiful Question, Warren Berger shows that one of the most powerful forces for igniting change in business and in our daily lives is a simple, under-appreciated tool – one that has been available to us since childhood. Questioning – deeply, imaginatively, “beautifully” – can help us identify and solve problems, come … Continue reading A More Beautiful Question: the Power of Inquiry to Spark Breakthrough Ideas by Warren Berger (2016)
Conversational Leadership Mindset The Impact of Cognitive Biases in Conversation Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Conversations shape how we connect, collaborate, and solve problems. Groups often struggle to focus on the right issues, approach discussions constructively, or build a sense of community. Asking thoughtful questions can guide meaningful dialogue, ensuring conversations address vital … Continue reading Three Questions for Meaningful Conversations Clarify focus, approach, and community-building in discussions
Construct Steel Positions Not Straw Ones Converse in Good Faith Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter This post is just a stub for now, with a few resources shown below. I also have a post How to design powerful questions.that may be of interest. Resources FastCompany: Why we should embrace ‘radical curiosity’ and learn … Continue reading Ask Questions ** Be curious – ask more questions
Viennese Coffeehouses ** Stammtisch Tables Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Benjamin Franklin recognized the value of conversation and the importance of cognitive diversity in convening innovative conversations when he founded the Junto Club almost 300 years ago. In 1727, at the age of 21, Benjamin Franklin, who went on to become was one … Continue reading Benjamin Franklin’s Junto Club Benjamin Franklin founded the Junto Club – a conversational society in 1727
Conference Breakfasts and Dinners Peter Block’s Four Ownership Questions Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter At the end of each and every presentation at a conference, there is the obligatory question from the chairperson to the audience “Are there any questions?” There are many reasons why Q&As are not such a good idea. Why … Continue reading Are There Any Questions? Q&A is not interaction
Culture Exploring the Multifaceted Roles of Trust in Relationships and Society Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Simply reframing a question can shift perspectives and dramatically change the resulting conversation. I recently drew up a list of powerful questions that I felt would be good for sparking big talk – deep, meaningful conversations. The … Continue reading Reframing Questions Shifting perspective changes the conversation
Intimate Conversations Equinor Management Training Cafés Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Customer satisfaction surveys often rely on brief, limited questions that don’t capture the whole picture. This method can lead to overlooked feedback and biased responses. The Hong Kong MTR has a more engaging approach: it sets up coffee booths and special carriages … Continue reading Hong Kong MTR Coffee Evenings and Liaison Trains An improvement over traditional customer surveys
Decision Making Café Conference Café ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter The purpose of a Questionstorming Café is not to come up with ideas but to generate questions. Designing a Café to come up with lots of powerful questions around a problem, a challenge, or an issue is a creative way of provoking … Continue reading Question Storming Café ** Questions can be more powerful than answers at times
Evidence for a Collective Intelligence Factor in the Performance of Human Groups ** The Mehrabian Myth Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter To better understand the world, improve decision-making, strategize, and innovate, we need to convene small groups of people to engage in creative conversations triggered by powerful questions. In the context of a … Continue reading Designing Powerful Questions Questions open the door to dialogue and discovery
Are There Any Questions? Let’s Get Rid of Lecterns Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter How many people at a conference or a workshop genuinely engage with the day and consider they are as much an owner and co-creator of the experience as the chairperson, speakers, and facilitators? And how many are happy to … Continue reading Peter Block’s Four Ownership Questions Are you prepared to take responsibility for the learning and engagement of others?
Knowledge Café: Required Resources ** Knowledge Café: Measuring Success Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Knowledge Cafés should always start with a purpose in mind and be designed to meet that aim. The conversation is always triggered by a powerful question Often though, a series of Cafés may be held simply to bring people … Continue reading Knowledge Café: Conversational Topics Some examples
Street Epistemology Theodore Zeldin’s Conversation Dinners Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Coming up with new ideas or insights in a conventional brainstorming session is often hard work and not very engaging. An alternative approach is the so-called reverse brainstorming. Overview of the process The concept of reverse brainstorming is simple: rather than brainstorm … Continue reading Reverse Brainstorming Café Brainstorming the opposite of what you want
