necessarily feel less fear. The differ-
ence is that they don’t act on their
fears.
you ask a question from a place of
curiosity, it is easier to create a safe
space for the other person or people
involved to answer.
When Should I Use Powerful Questions?
Hone in on what is most important.
Sometimes, in the course of
There are always peripheral
conversation, you just feel curious
issues. Focus on what matters
about something. It may not even
most. Otherwise, you’ll find the
seem logical. You have a hunch,
conversation veering down paths
a spiritual inkling about something.
that do not address the core issue.
And if you ignore it, there’s a good
Succinct. A powerful question is not
chance you’ll regret it. Think back
a long question. The average seventh
to a dilemma in which you had a
grader ought to understand your
“feeling” something was up, but you question. Short and sweet is powerful.
ignored what you knew in your spirit
Here’s why: When questions get
was off and later regretted it.
long, the people being asked have
At other times, you may be curious, to remember the statements that
but it isn’t necessarily spiritual. You
preceded it. As they attempt to hold
may be curious about the way a
on to the lead-up to your question,
person went about a task or about
they often become confused.
why they are so passionate about
Direct. A powerful question leaves
their work. And by asking a few
no room for misunderstanding. It
questions, you stumble upon a tidbit
is direct. It does not tiptoe around
that unlocks the door to a whole new issues. This does not mean it is rude or
world. Asking powerful questions is not abrupt. It simply means your question
an excuse to be nosy but an invitation is bathed in truth and authenticity.
to be genuinely interested in others
Use this as an opportunity to practice
and genuinely confident in yourself.
courage. Be direct but kind.
Thee most powerful questions have
Reveal the person to themselves.
eight traits in common:
A powerful question is powerful
because it uncovers information,
Curious. The most powerful
insights, and points of discovery that
questions come from a place of
were previously buried. Sometimes
curiosity inspired by a desire to
the thing everyone else can see, they
understand or resolve an issue.
can’t see—until a powerful question
Curiosity focuses on learning and
opens their eyes.
solving more than being right or
Shift your perspective. Sometimes
proving a point. As a result, when
it isn’t so much that the question
38 Solutions