"What would your organisation be like if your mother were running it?"

"A good question is never answered. It is not a bolt to be tightened into place. But a seed to be planted toward the hope of greening the landscape of the idea." - John Ciardi

These are not ordinary questions. These are questions that make you sit up. Think. Ponder. Maybe worry a bit. They will leave stretch marks on your brain.

Let me share a few random questions from the lot of 75 questions. Questions that I have used from time to time in my conversations with clients. In my workshops. They are not in any particular order.

1. What intangible benefit makes your work worthwhile?
2. If you could create a new unique position for yourself in your organisation, what would that be?
3. What current management fad has your company adopted that is driving you crazy?
4. You've been chosen to tell the CEO that his services will no longer be needed; what would you say to him to help him understand why he's being let go?
5. What proverb catches the essence of your organisation?
6. What would happen if your company instituted a one-year ban on all meetings? (Online or otherwise)
7. What incredible invention would make your job much easier and much more productive?
8. If you can't get people to address a serious problem through traditional methods, what unusual or outrageous act might get their attention?
9. What unwritten rules at work make it difficult to get things done quickly, efficiently or profitably?
10. If you were to be fired or promoted, what might be the most likely reason?
11. What are the top ten reasons your people won't get the bonuses they deserve next year? (Think beyond the pandemic please)
12. You have just been told that all salaries, bonuses, and other compensation will now be based only on team performance; how would you feel about this new policy?

These 12 questions give you a flavour of the rest of the questions in the book.

All the questions are provocative in nature. They make you stop. Think. Stretch. Imagine. Worry. There is no pat yes or no answer.

These questions help us clear the cobwebs in our minds. Flippant, clever answers won't work.

I have benefitted immensely from this book. In preparing for my meetings with clients. In my workshops to generate new ideas. In arriving at sharply defined challenge statements. In my coaching conversations with my coaching clients.

One important thing I realised is this. The tone and manner in which you ask the question is important. Every question is sharp. They will make people uncomfortable. You can help the other person by being empathetic. By being attentive. By not interrupting. By being comfortable with silence when the other person is thinking. By being compassionate.

If it is possible have this conversation in a neutral place. In the current situation it may have to be online. Choose the time that is most comfortable for the other person.

Most important. Switch off your mobile during such conversations. Request the other person too to switch off his or her mobile. (Assuming your meeting is in person or on zoom/MSTeams/Webex etc)

Should you share these questions ahead of time? I prefer not to do that.