Why, How, When or Does It Matter?
It seems at times we have more questions than answers. And, sometimes the questions seem unanswerable. Yet we continue to seek a response. I guess it is the human nature that makes us so inquisitive. Certainly the advent of the Internet has changed the very nature of research–which all are doing daily!
The Challenge of Questioning
The United States is full on the political ‘Silly Season‘ as the election moves into full speed. We hear of ‘poll bias’s and other manner of statistical manipulation. So what and who are we to believe?
We have raised the issue of survey and data issues a number of times in this blog thread. Examples include:
Valid and Reliable? May 18, 2023
- V R T October 22, 2023
- Data Management for the Non-Technical Executive August 25, 2023
In this edition, we will explore how to “Frame a Question.” This is an important consideration. According to one firm, “Designing framing questions starts by defining your conversation’s purpose. Good framing questions should be carefully designed to invite different perspectives. They should also be open-ended to encourage diverse and creative thinking. They can’t be so broad that they are impractical.” Seems simple, but like a lot of so-called simple things it can take a good deal of time preparing. For example, we previously discussed the challenges of writing an “Elevator Pitch.” Same laws of communication apply.
Framing a Powerful Question
According to one source, “Powerful questions are provocative queries that put a halt to evasion and confusion. By asking
the powerful question, the coach invites the client to clarity, action, and discovery at a whole new level.” This approach requires the respondent to think through the answer. This is much different than most political/corporate rejoinders.
The power of a GOOD question cannot be underestimated. It requires the dialogue to go to another higher level. We should ask more of them.
How Powerful are Your Questions?
For More Information
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See our Economic Value Proposition Matrix® (EVPM) for additional information and a free version to build your own EVPM.
The author’s credentials in this field are available on his LinkedIn page. Moreover, Dr. Shemwell is a coauthor of the just published book, “Smart Manufacturing: Integrating Transformational Technologies for Competitiveness and Sustainability.” His focus is on Operational Technologies.
“People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.” (Martin Luther King speech at Cornell College, 1962). For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game. You can contact this author as well.
For more details regarding climate change models, check out Bjorn Lomborg ands his latest book, False Alarm: How Climate Change Panic Costs Us Trillions, Hurts the Poor, and Fails to Fix the Planet.
Regarding the economics of Climate Change, check out our blog, Crippling Green.
For those start-up firms addressing energy (including renewables) challenges, the author can put you in touch with Global Energy Mentors which provide no-cost mentoring services from energy experts. If interested, check it out and give me a shout.