It’s not enough to simply ask open questions and follow up questions, for leaders to avoid the knowledge trap they need to consider the mix of questions they ask.
IMD Professors of Strategy Arnaud Chevallier and Frédéric Dalsace identified four types of questions that you should be asking based on behavioral science research and interviews with top executives:
- productive questions, to pace the decision making,
- analytical questions, to address root cause and find granular solutions
- creative questions, to fuel innovative thinking and solutions
- sensemaking questions, to develop insight and keep momentum
“We think that the types of questions each use is the result of our individual trajectories. In other words, we each grow into asking some questions more than others,” says Chevallier.
“But maybe this path-dependent process can be improved,” says Dalsace. “Have you ever thought about which question you ask and which question you use? What happens if you don’t ask some questions?”.
Successful executives often underutilize at least one type of question causing blind spots that can lead to an incomplete picture. While there is no perfect balance of a questions mix, all leaders should be asking at least some questions from each category. It is therefore important to step back and evaluate whether you are doing this.
The good news is most executives have found that once they evaluated their question mix and identified weak spots, it has been pretty easy to improve upon it, either individually or as a team.
Did our predictions for 2024 come true, a turbulent election year, bitcoin and CBDC, COP29 and electric cars, China, EU integration and Euro football
Asia's economic landscape 2024 and 2025. Three distinct approaches: Japan's technology-driven revival amid demographic challenges, China's deflation and growth concerns, and India's manufacturing ambitions through foreign investment and strategic ...
You won't be able to understand how power operates in your unique context on your first day in the company, but it's highly achievable after about six months of closely observing the environment. You won't be able to understand how power operates ...
David Michels, CFO at Kinder Morgan, a US energy infrastructure company, explores how rapid AI and data center growth have quickly reshaped energy demand
Keeping healthy and prioritizing your emotional and physical well-being during Christmas and New Year is important to avoid burnout caused by the stress and pressure of the holiday season.
After a few false dawns, we could finally be on the eve of the quantum era – which means organizations need to start thinking about encryption now. Here's what you need to know. After a few false dawns, we could finally be on the eve of the quantu...
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications