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Navigating Uncertainty: The Art of Asking the Right Questions

Jim Frawley
Sep 23, 2024
5 min read

By Jim Frawley

Adaptability is no longer just a desirable trait — it's a necessity. Effective management in times of uncertainty hinges on the ability to navigate the unknown, make informed decisions, and lead teams through turbulent waters. Success in adaptability is determined in the actions a person takes on the precipice of change, and a crucial element of this adaptability is the ability to ask good questions. Not just any questions, but ones that are thoughtful, strategic, and geared towards uncovering deeper insights without judgment or assumption, laying the foundation for quick and productive decision making.

Laying the Foundation for Change Management

Since change is so dynamic and multifaceted, we need a multifaceted approach to set ourselves up for the best chance of success and adaptation when it arrives – one that will allow for the flexibility we need to respond to whatever the world throws our way. The art of change management consists of four primary pillars: awareness, preparation, learning, and wisdom.

Managing change is a process. First, it requires a degree of self-awareness, a basic understanding of who we are, what we value, and what we believe to be true about the world and how that informs how we interact with others. Then comes preparation, and with proper preparation we become learners. This experience fosters wisdom and the ability to make effective decisions in the moment, without chronic, agonizing stress or fear.

Between preparation and wisdom lies an opportunity to build on the knowledge we possess from experiences through strategic questioning. Asking questions expands perspective based on the belief systems and experiences others share in the process. Adaptability demands a certain level of collaboration in this way, challenging people to align and co-create responses to change, and in order to do that well, diversity in perspective and experience is imperative.

The Role of Experience in Formulating Questions

While experience alone cannot prepare us for every change, it is a valuable component in crafting useful questions. Experienced managers have a wealth of knowledge and insights that can inform their questioning approach. They know which questions to ask, how to frame them, and how to interpret the answers. Experience helps in discerning which aspects of a situation are most critical and in predicting potential challenges.

While there are vast differences between the market crash of 2008 and the COVID-19 pandemic, someone who navigated 2008 may have valuable experiences to share with someone who is struggling with the economical impact of the pandemic. This experience alone is not sufficient in guiding someone through the unknown, but it’s a strong catalyst in providing answers to insightful questions.

For this reason, reliance on experience must be balanced with openness to new perspectives. In times of uncertainty, unprecedented challenges may arise, requiring innovative thinking and fresh perspective. This is where collaborative questioning comes into play — engaging the team, encouraging diverse viewpoints, and fostering an environment where every question is valued.

The Power of Questions in Change Management

As rudimentary as it sounds, understanding precisely what a question is will completely change one’s management style. A question is a genuine request for information in which case the person asking legitimately does not know the answer. There is a pure curiosity that drives away judgment, allowing for the perspective of other individuals to shine.

In uncertain times, managers and employees alike face a flood of complex challenges that require more than just experience and intuition to solve. While past experiences provide a foundation, they must be supplemented with a rigorous questioning strategy to adapt effectively. This is where understanding the types of questions—objective, reflective, interpretive, and decisive—becomes essential.

Objective Questions: These are fact-based questions that aim to gather concrete information. For instance, "What are the current market trends?" or "What resources do we have at our disposal?" Objective questions help us establish a clear understanding of the present situation, laying the groundwork for informed decision-making.

Reflective Questions: Reflective questions encourage introspection and help in understanding experiences and feelings. Questions like "How did we handle similar challenges in the past?" or "What lessons have we learned from previous crises?" allow us to tap into memory and leverage past experiences to inform current strategies.

Interpretive Questions: These questions delve into meanings and implications, helping to make sense of data and situations. Examples include "What do these trends suggest about future consumer behavior?" or "How might our team dynamics impact our adaptability?" Interpretive questions push us to think beyond the surface and understand the broader context and potential consequences.

Decisive Questions: These are action-oriented questions that drive decision-making. For example, "What steps should we take next?" or "Who needs to be involved in this decision?" Decisive questions are crucial for translating insights into actions, ensuring that plans are executed effectively.

Cultivating a Question-Driven Culture

For managers to effectively navigate uncertainty, fostering a culture that values and encourages good questions is paramount. This involves:

Promoting Curiosity: Encourage team members to ask true questions, explore new ideas, and challenge assumptions. Curiosity drives innovation and continuous learning.

Active Listening: Pay attention to the questions being asked and the insights they generate. Listening actively demonstrates that questions are valued and that diverse perspectives are welcome.

Continuous Learning: Embrace a mindset of ongoing learning and development. Adaptability requires staying informed about new trends, technologies, and methodologies.

Encouraging Collaboration: Facilitate open dialogue and collaboration. Diverse teams bring varied experiences and viewpoints, leading to more comprehensive questioning and better solutions.

Effective management in times of uncertainty is deeply rooted in the ability to ask the right questions. By understanding and employing objective, reflective, interpretive, and decisive questions, managers can navigate the complexities of change more effectively, and therefore lead by example in allowing their teams to do the same.

Experience plays a crucial role in informing these questions, but it must be complemented by a willingness to embrace new ideas and perspectives. Cultivating a question-driven culture will not only enhance adaptability but also drive innovation and resilience in the face of uncertainty. As we continue to navigate this unpredictable world, the art of asking good questions will remain a cornerstone of effective management and promoting adaptability.

Asking good questions is the secret bridge between a lack of preparedness and a confident approach to unpredictable change. In mastering this skill, we’re better positioned to make quick and informed decisions, whether in the workplace or in our day-to-day lives. It’s these decisions that drive progress through challenging times, and ensure we make it through, all the while developing adaptability amid times of uncertainty.