6 provocative questions to ask as we design changes for sustainable futures

As a strategic designer, I work in complex settings where there are competing views on the problem and uncertainty on the solutions we ought to invest in. The attention that I most like to pay attention to, is the quality of the questions we ask - at any point in the journey. Einstein is quoted as saying "If I had an hour to solve a problem and my life depended on the solution, I would spend the first 55 minutes determining the proper question to ask… for once I know the proper question, I could solve the problem in less than five minutes.” it is in this spirit that I want to provoke 6 points of reflection. For each of the provocations and subsequent questions, all I ask is that you take these away and reflect. The act of reflecting is to learn from experience, consciously, which in turn invites opportunity to assimilate new understandings, which then can be applied to our working and living lives creating new effects in ways that enrich our lives. So in this spirit I invite you to reflect – take some paper, go to your digital journal, find a whiteboard:

Reflection 1: Solutions are the answers to the questions we pose. If this is the case, then do we even understand what we mean by a question? What is the form - what is the function of a question? How well do we pay attention to the sorts of questions we ask? Are we spending enough time asking questions?

Reflection 2: The questions we ask, requires us to deeply reflect on the way we think. Do we take the time to understand how each of us think? What is the basis of thought? Do we consciously stop and think about decisions and choices? Are we aware of the bias that act in the process of our work and every day?

Reflection 3: The way we think is based on the value-system we hold. When do we stop and ask what are the values that drive our attitudes, actions, and attention? What do we mean by a values-system? How do values-systems play deeply in our everyday??

Reflection 4: The 'we' in all these provocations determines the quality of solutions. Are we paying attention to the collective, the teaming of people? Are we genuinely creative diverse and inclusive collectives? Are we confident in the unknowns that come with greater variety at the table? What is our commitment to enrich the 'we' in our settings? What values-systems hold back a collective approach?

Reflection 5: The creation of questions is an eco-system which allows anyone to see how they fit in the bigger picture. What courage is needed to listen and hear the possible questions from many? How bold are we to embrace the wildest and most disruptive of views that present conflicts? How do you see the creative conflict that arises when we see the eco-system of questions?

Reflection 6: The individual makes up the collective, so the individual, has the power to ask. Where do you stand, sit, pose, rebut, create, stare, desire, love, frustrate, gest, confuse, complain, avoid, embrace, dream? ?How are you being an active agent in driving the questions that need to be asked? What can you do today that generates the thinking needed to make the changes we need to see in the world?