Solving Business Dilemmas: The Power of the Right Question

When your business faces an obstacle or problem, do you have a process that forces you to ask the right questions?

I learned the importance of following a process to ask the right questions many years ago. I was taking lessons to earn my pilot's license and Bill, my instructor, was precise in his instructions. It came from his military background as a helicopter pilot, and it translated into a high expectation of his students.

One day, we were practicing drills on how to respond to an emergency. I wore a hood that blocked my vision, except for the instruments in front of me. I had no other point of reference except the dials on the dashboard of the plane (this was before digital instrumentation).

After we obtained the correct altitude and I was hooded, Bill would put the airplane in a sharp turn. I could only look at the information from the instruments, not the horizon or the ground. I have to admit that I failed the drill several times, mostly because I panicked (a natural reaction, I might add).

Sensing my frustration, Bill leveled the plane and gave me a four word sentence that I have repeated to myself in stressful situations ever since.

Bill calmly told me that the next time I was faced with an emergency, the first thing I should do was "sit on my hands."

As we flew over the pastures and farm roads, my mind couldn't understand his instruction. "In an emergency, isn't it crucial to act fast?" My question was sincere but carried a doubtful tone.

Bill nodded and explained, "In an emergency, the first thing you have to do is determine the real cause of the problem, not the symptom. Then, you prioritize the issues, and act in a way that is specifically designed to solve the problem."

The process I learned while flying 5,000 feet above the ground can also apply to your business problems.

How to ask the right questions

When you are clear about the cause of the problem, solutions can be developed. Clear thinking leads to clear questions which leads to clear answers.?

Remember: Smart people provide good answers, geniuses ask great questions.

The correct attitude and mindset is important for asking the right questions:

• Be aware. Surround yourself with people who ask great questions. It means they listen, analyze and think before they talk.
• Be specific.?Don't ask vague questions that can be answered with a simple yes or no. Instead, ask questions that will help you to gather specific information.
• Be open-minded.?Don't be afraid to ask questions that challenge your assumptions, including what you did to contribute or cause the problem.
• Be persistent.?It is easy to solve a symptom, much harder to solve the cause. Keep asking questions until you understand the problem and can develop a solution.

Be open to possibilities by looking at the problems from different viewpoints. Then move through the seven step process outlined below.

The 7 Step Process to Ask the Right Questions that Lead to Solutions

We are not taught how to analyze a problem to discover the solution. Over the 30 years of my legal and entrepreneurial journey, I have developed a simple process that clarifies the cause, identifies the issues, and creates an action plan.

1. Identify.?What specific problem are you trying to solve?
2. Gather facts.?What information do you need to understand the problem better?
3. Resources.?Who can help you gather the information needed?
4. Best Option.?What are the possible solutions to the problem?
5. Risk assessment.?Which solution is the most likely to be successful?
6. Action.?How can you implement the right solution?
7. Accountability.?How can you monitor the results of the solution?

Remember, when faced with a new business dilemma, it pays to "sit on your hands." Move through these seven steps in an orderly way, thoughtfully considering all views and options. The correct solution will rise to the surface.

When you learn to take a moment to ask the right questions, the answers may surprise you.