Questions are the Key to Finding The Solution

Every day, we are fed with the challenge of addressing and solving problems.

In many of those cases, you generally need to get information to guide you in developing the right solution. I have found – and coached many clients – that having a series of questions generally works best in not only helping get to the solutionbut in also helping to separate the emotion and frustration from the facts.Below are some of my “best” questions. The list is not all-inclusive. Rather, it’s provided to help you get started and to develop a list of your own “best” questions.Related: Are You Really Productive or Collecting “To-Do’s”?
  • When did you first learn about this problem?
  • How did it occur in the first place?
  • How could we have learned about it sooner?
  • Was there any way this could have been avoided or addressed before it became a problem?
  • Was something missed?
  • Was it caused by something that needs more attention or action?
  • If you were here alone, what would be the first thing you would do?
  • Was the problem caused by an issue in our procedures or systems?
  • Take a minute and think: where might you look first to find the solution you’re looking for?
  • Who else could have information to help you develop the right solution?
  • Is there anything special that needs to be included in the solution?
  • How can we prevent this problem from occurring again?