Designing motivating and provocative questions is a skill we’ve been developing for years and feedback confirms the effort has been worth it.

As generative journalists, we’ve adopted the Appreciate Inquiry philosophy that people and organizations move in the direction of the images they hold of the future.

These images are informed by conversations and stories, which are in turn created by the questions we ask ourselves as individuals and organizations.

Question design is some of the most important work a journalist does, and when done well it engages people to take notice of things previously not considered, encourages fresh thinking and opens the door to new possibilities.

It leads to powerful outcomes.

Most recently, questions we’ve posed in interviews have:
• Motivated people to take a closer look at new legislation affecting their sector,
• Been credited with sparking the creation of a new, successful educational program,
• Ignited discussion about the inclusiveness of the language people were using.

Every once in a while our interviewees remark that the questions we are asking are difficult and, sometimes, even evoke discomfort. This is an important part of the work as well, inspiring people to explore ideas and initiatives through an opportunity framework. The questions being asked during the interview are often just as important as the resulting article.

We do wonder what could happen if more media were to embark on using catalytic and strength-based questions to engage people in meaningful conversations and dialogue.

While we’ve learned this is a critical tool for organizations, building culture and unleashing a powerful force for innovation and change, it’s also a constructive tool to engage the broader public in discussing our current world and preferred future.