Meetings as pointless as this sign? Take the quick quiz.

Ever sat there in a meeting and thought ‘this conversation is pointless’. So here’s the quiz bit…

You are sitting in a meeting with the conversation moving in all directions, without cohesion and going nowhere.

Do you:

(a) drift off and wonder how soon it will finish so you can get to your ‘to do’ list/go home

(b) try to add to the conversation, but realise it’s not helping

(c) use three little words to focus everyone … What’s the question?”

Being clear on the question you are trying to answer is key to a successful discussion. The technique in option (c) is useful where there is no clear meeting objective, where a conversation arises in a meeting or on a 121 basis or even where you are seeking clarity for yourself. Sometimes, just asking ‘What’s the question?’ highlights that there is no valid question to be answered (!) so time to move on. If you speak with curiosity and positive intent, it can make a very powerful statement.

Here are three different types of situations I have used the phrase ‘What’s the question?’

A few years ago I was leading a workshop with a team of senior lawyers and a good conversation arose, but there was a lack of focus. It was time to use the ‘What’s the question?’ approach to pull everyone together. After a few seconds of silence (always a good sign!) one person articulated the question they thought the discussion was trying to answer. I wrote it on the flipchart. Body language indicated that there wasn’t common ground, so we explored the views of others and ended up with one question, a joined up team and an agreed action plan against the right question.

A common and no doubt familiar situation relates to data requests. Conversations abound – particularly from senior managers - about wanting ‘this data and that data’; ‘cut this way’; ‘segmented that way’. All of which can generate a pile of work but to what benefit? Next time, ask…..’What’s the question?’ Being focused on the business decisions you can make off the back of data prioritises the work for the MI/data team so they can add real value.

You can even use this technique just with yourself. In business we all are presented with regular challenges but sometimes it swims around in your head with no clear answer. I will walk around the house or the garden, asking myself out loud ‘What’s the question?’ until I have a formed question. Then I write it down. Then I review it and make sure it really is the question I need to answer. Only then do I look to answer it.

So, go for option (c) and ask with curiosity ‘What’s the question?’. Use the defined question as the anchor to keep on track, focusing your conversations and actions. Make better use of meetings and focus on the right business questions.