Small questions are the everyday questions that we need to gather information and get things done. They have an important role.
- What time is the meeting?
- What do you need me to include in the report?
- How did Timmy get the scrape on his arm?
Big questions are the open-ended ones that call for growth and transformation. They speak to emotion and meaning.
- Who are you becoming?
- What are you afraid of?
- What do you want to build?
Both big and small questions have important roles. But it’s the big questions that generate momentum beyond the current situation. Big questions create ripples.
If you’re starting a company, keep an eye not just on “who are we serving?” and “what products are we making?” but also “what kind of organization do we want to be?”
If you’re talking with your children, in addition to “what did you do today?” consider asking: “when did you feel most alive?”
If you’re leading a team, you may already ask team members “what do you need from me to complete this task?”. Consider adding, at the right moment, “what do you need from me in order to grow the way you want to grow?”.
Reach for the bigger question, and go make ripples of your own.
To learn more about how The Questions Company can help you and your team ask bigger questions, please schedule a consultation.
