We recently talked about asking better questions, and shared the idea of a pyramid of question types from Will Wise and Chad Littlefield. Well, we’ve now come across another article about asking questions and thought you might like to hear about its five types of questions.
A recent Harvard Business Review article talks about the art of asking smarter questions. It gives the example of a CEO operating in a fast moving industry that demands agile and innovative thinking. Reflecting on his leadership, he says that he asks more questions now than ever before. Through probing questions, he helps his management team explore ideas they might not have considered. This approach underscores the importance of curiosity, listening, and humility—qualities essential for effective questioning in any field.
In our work as enablers of change, the ability to ask the right questions can significantly impact on-farm innovation. Advances in AI and other technologies have shifted the focus from merely having answers to crafting smart questions. In our work, we don’t always have the answers; it’s often the farmers who do. By encouraging creativity and actively listening, we can effectively support on-farm change.
One of the biggest challenges is ensuring we ask the questions that matter. Often, we get into trouble because we haven’t asked a question! Questions we don’t ask are those that are counter to our usual habits and patterns of interaction. The authors of the three-year study outlined in the article identified five types of strategic questioning: investigative, speculative, productive, interpretive, and subjective.
Investigative questions help us understand the current state of affairs. They help us dig into existing data, practices, and outcomes. For instance, when addressing a crop yield issue, we might ask, “What are the primary factors affecting yield?” or “What evidence do we have to support our current hypothesis?” By continually probing with “What?” and “How?” questions, we can uncover underlying issues that might otherwise go unnoticed. For example, a farm advisor might ask, “What do you think is making this particular pest more prevalent this season?” leading to a deeper understanding of pest dynamics and potential new strategies for control.
Speculative questions help us think beyond the immediate problem and explore other possibilities. They encourage creative thinking and the consideration of alternative scenarios. For example, asking “What if we introduce a new cover crop to improve soil health?” can open up discussions about practices that might not have been previously considered. This type of questioning is essential for rethinking usual practices and exploring new technologies or methods that could lead to new solutions or better ways of using particular technologies.
Productive questions focus on the practical aspects of implementing solutions. They address the logistics, resources, and steps necessary to move forward. For instance, once a new irrigation method is proposed, a productive question would be, “What resources are required to implement this method across all the paddocks?” or “What training do our farm advisors need to support farmers in adopting this new practice?” These questions ensure that as enablers of change we can plan to have appropriate resources and support for farmers.
Interpretive questions help us make sense of the information we gather and understand its implications. They help us connect data points and extract insights. For example, after collecting data on soil health improvements from a new technique, an interpretive question might be, “So, what does this mean for our long-term crop productivity?” or “How does this new information align with our sustainability goals?” These questions help us synthesise information and refine our strategies based on a deeper understanding of the outcomes.
Finally, subjective questions address the human element of decision-making, considering emotions, motivations, and unspoken concerns. In the context of enabling change, these might include questions like, “How do farmers feel about this new technology?” or “Are there any reservations or cultural factors that might affect adoption?” Understanding the personal and emotional dimensions of decision-making can reveal barriers and help us support farmers more effectively.
To become more effective at asking questions, we need to reflect on the types of questions we naturally gravitate towards and identify which questions we tend not to use. For instance, if we find that we often focus on investigative questions but neglect speculative ones, we might make a conscious effort to incorporate more “What if?” scenarios into our discussions.
We thought this article gave a useful perspective on asking smarter questions. This might remind you of the ORID process, which we discussed in a previous episode. So you’ve heard our thoughts, now we’d like to hear yours! Add a comment below the blog post and tell us about your experiences with asking questions, including any tips and further ideas about it. We don’t want this to be just a one-way conversation—join in by sharing your thoughts and ideas with us!
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Resources
Chevallier, A., Dalsace, F., & Barsoux, J.-L. (2024). The Art of Asking Smarter Questions. Harvard Business Review, May-June, 66-74.