ForConstructionPros.com

By Sam Geist

Questioning can become an effective business strategy that instigates thought and motivates action - but only if you ask.

Little kids question everything -Why is the sky blue? Why does it get dark? Why do I have to eat my peas? That’s how they learn. Socrates, one of the first philosophers, gained notoriety 2,300 years ago by asking questions that required his students to search for answers. That’s how they learned.

But questioning has unfortunately slipped from favor. It is reputed to make the “questioner” appear uninformed and the “questionee” uncomfortable, even dangerous (after all, Socrates was sentenced to drink hemlock because of it). It’s out of date.

I beg to differ. Questioning is adult stuff - business stuff. As a matter of fact, if it’s used well, it could become the next “new” management strategy. Here’s why and how.

Questions challenge. Questions instigate review. They provide new perspectives. They motivate change. A most interesting phenomenon occurs when a “questioning-focused” approach is taken. As soon as the first question is asked, wheels begin to turn. More questions spring up - more options - exciting new possibilities.