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Nature of questions and Impact they generate

By Bamboo In The Wind
Through some knocks I have taken in the past, over time, I have learned to distinguish between types of questions based on "impact" answers will create.
  • Is it an information question? Quick answer is possible. Impact to "others" may be minimal.
  • Is it a decision making question? Quick answer is possible. Impact to "others" may be significant.
  • Is it an opinion question? Quick turn-around is ok. Impact to “others” may depend on how the sample size polled responds.
  • Is it a problem solving question? Instant response is possible. But well researched follow-up may be better, for, impact to “others” may be more immediate and significant.
How question get answered depends on “How” a question is asked and the “Trust” contract between person who asked and person who answers. Commitment in the answer will depend on level of “Engagement” that already exists between persons involved.

Similar relationship may develop when there is a person “Interested” in something and there is an option available to “Explore” that very interest. Real problem solving will take place when there is an “Engagement” even in this case.

At the time question is asked, it is too late to assess if answer is likely to be useful - as - the “Engagement” is either already strong and you are confident of usefulness of what you may get back or it may very well be weak and so there should be no surprise with what you may receive.

Trouble is - it’s a lot of patient work to constantly gauge where this Engagement lever is on the relationship Fulcrum to keep both sides in focus and balanced. Then it does not matter what roles the people involved play. 

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