The urge to ask questions can sometimes feel redundant, especially when you already have the answers. When you’re on the verge of holding back a question you already know the answer to, pause and consider your motives. As a facilitator, what impact are you aiming for? Are you looking to guide the group toward understanding, or are you merely asserting dominance with your knowledge? Assessing the significance of arriving at a predetermined answer versus fostering an environment of collaboration and openness is essential.
Facilitation Defined
Facilitation is a structured session(s) in which the meeting leader (the facilitator) guides the participants through a series of predefined steps to arrive at a result that is created, understood, and accepted by all participants.
The facilitator’s role is to guide the participants, not dictate or instruct. Furthermore, the facilitated result must be created, understood, and accepted by all.
Five Reasons to Ask Questions When You Know the Answer
These are my top five reasons for asking questions when you know the answer. They apply generally and to facilitators.
1. Validates and Verifies
Even when you know the answer, asking questions is a powerful tool for validating understanding. It’s making sure that your knowledge aligns with what you think you know. Too many assumptions can lead you astray.
2. Encourages Critical Thinking
Questioning familiar territory fosters critical thinking. It’s important to note that this is not about challenging authority or undermining established knowledge. Exploring different angles, considering alternative solutions, and challenging existing paradigms can lead to innovation and uncover better approaches.
#3 Clarifies for Others
Not everyone shares the same level of understanding in a group setting. Clarifying questions helps others who might not be as knowledgeable. Everyone feels connected and part of a team that values knowledge sharing.
#4 Uncovers Hidden Assumptions
There are always hidden assumptions or overlooked details. Asking questions prompts you to dig deeper and uncover these hidden elements, which can lead to a more comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.
#5 Demonstrates Humility and Openness
A willingness to ask clarifying questions shows humility and openness to learning. It also creates an environment where others feel comfortable asking questions, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement within the technical community.
It’s About Facilitated Collaboration
Facilitation is a delicate balance between guiding and empowering. Keep sight of your objectives while fostering an environment conducive to business success and personal growth. And remember, serving as a meeting leader (the facilitator) isn’t just about having all the answers. It’s about nurturing a group culture of curiosity, collaboration, and growth.
Asking Powerful Questions
Powerful questions lead participants to active thought, debate, and compelling results. Weak questions do the opposite. Introductory questions and clarifying questions are the two major classes of powerful questions.
What Is Your Intention?
Is your intention to be seen as the smartest person in the room or to be a collaborative leader who brings the group together? Being a collaborative leader means taking a formal facilitation approach that includes asking clarifying questions. Asking clarifying questions means asking questions that you know the answers to or that you think others know the answers to.
Asking Questions When You Know the Answers
What impact are you aiming for as a facilitator? Are you looking to guide the group toward understanding, or are you merely asserting dominance with your knowledge? It’s essential to assess the significance of arriving at a predetermined answer versus fostering an environment of collaboration and openness. Asking clarifying questions is one of the most powerful tools in the facilitation toolbox. Resolve to ask better questions.
This article was originally published on Substack.
JD Solomon is the founder of JD Solomon, Inc., the creator of the FINESSE fishbone diagram®, and the co-creator of the SOAP criticality method©. He is the author of Communicating Reliability, Risk & Resiliency to Decision Makers: How to Get Your Boss’s Boss to Understand and Facilitating with FINESSE: A Guide to Successful Business Solutions.
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