Reverse Difficult Questions
Futurework Skill # 6: COLLABORATIVE
Reverse difficult questions about the unknown
Have you ever been asked a question you didn’t know the answer to?
You possibly made a critical mistake when giving your answer…
Which was – giving an answer.
Coaching teams in innovation skills, I’ve watched many leaders present new ideas. When asked a question they don’t yet know the answer to, invariably they still answer.
Taking pride in how competently they dealt with the potential derailment of their team’s direction.
This has to stop.
Business has taught too many of our leaders to act with fixed mindsets. To be right. To answer difficult questions in a self-assured manner. To stay unwaveringly on course.
So what’s the alternative?
Evolve your mindset into a Mindflex and answer complex questions with a genuine desire to understand more.
The questioner has their own thoughts in mind, which often they’re seeking to share. So reply along the lines of “Great question. What would you suggest?”
Not only does this give you more time to reflect – more importantly it gives you richer more diverse inputs as a basis for your thinking.
With insightful depth.
To reach greater heights.
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