Ask better questions

Our work is improving, or so we are told. We are researching and finding insights and applying them. The only problem? We’re finding the same insights. Boring research breeds boring work.

The solution, according to the bespectacled Guru of Woke who graces us with his presence weekly, is to ask better questions.

Ask better questions. 

Ask better questions.

Ask more precise questions. 

“What does your kid say when you ask him how school was?” “Fine.” “OMG no way mine too.” 

Don’t expect a child to be able to distil the events of a day into the answer to a single, broad question. 

Ask better questions.

Ask better questions.

Ask questions you care about.

“Have you got any siblings?”

I suspect the success of our relationship won’t hinge on my sister’s existence.

Ask better questions.

Ask better questions.

Ask questions that can be answered.

“Are you ok?”

No one is just ok. No beautiful, complex, wonderfully unfathomable person has ever been just ok.

Ask better questions.

Ask better questions.

Ask the right people the questions.

“Why do you always…?”

Why do you never? Have you no agency, man?

Ask better questions.

Ask better questions. 

Ask the questions no one else is.

“Why did you do this weekend?”

Ask me if I cried. Ask me if I stared at the wall in a catatonic state of loneliness. Ask if I had a moment where I briefly glimpsed the transience of youth. 

Ask better questions.

Ask better questions.

Ask better questions.

“Tea?”

Thank you.