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The Right Question−
a Key Collaboration Skill
Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher
Education--AASHE
October 14-16, 2012
Phyllis T. H. Grummon, PhD
Society for College and University Planning
Society for College & University
Planning  www.scup.org
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Learning Outcomes
Society for College & University
Planning  www.scup.org
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The Power of Questions
Causes
the listener to reflect—
cognitively and often
affectively/emotionally
Creates
Opens
a pause in a conversation
space for new thinking
Society for College & University
Planning  www.scup.org
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What’s in a question?
1.
Questions are asked because the answer
is important.
2.
Questions are asked because the question
is important.
3.
Questions are asked because the process
of asking is important.*
*The Art
of Asking: Ask Better Questions, Get Better Answers,
Terry Fadem, FT Press, 2009
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Ask a question
Think
about the last time you
asked someone a question.
Please
write that question down.
Society for College & University
Planning  www.scup.org
Society for College & University
Planning  www.scup.org
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What’s in a question?
“Effective
questions are those that
accomplish their purposes, as well
as build a positive relationship
between the questioner and the
questionee.”*
*Leading with Questions, Michael Marquardt, Jossey-Bass 2005, p 68
Society for College & University
Planning  www.scup.org
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What Makes a Question Helpful?
Know
your goals—what do you want out of
the conversation
No
clear answer—requires collaborative
thinking
Asked
honestly—reduces interpersonal
barriers
Society for College & University
Planning  www.scup.org
Society for College & University
Planning  www.scup.org
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Questions and Answers
 Reasons
for asking….
 Answers
we expected….
 Replies, but
 Answers
not answers…
we didn’t expect….
 Cascading
questions….
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Type A and Type B Questions*
Type A:
“The
first thing we want to talk
about are inputs. What are the
inputs to the scheduling process?”
*The Secrets of Facilitation, Michael Wilkinson, Jossey-Bass, 2004, p 33
Society for College & University
Planning  www.scup.org
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Type A and Type B Questions*
Type B:
“If
you were about to develop the
schedule, what information would
you need to have close by?”
*The Secrets of Facilitation, Michael Wilkinson, Jossey-Bass, 2004, p 33
Society for College & University
Planning  www.scup.org
+
What’s in a question?
 Questions
that
evoke a clear
image help start
the answering
process.
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Getting to the Answer
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Samples
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What do you think about…?
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How would you approach this?
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What if you were in my shoes?
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What possibilities come to mind?
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How do you see this ‘change’ affecting you
and your area?
Society for College & University
Planning  www.scup.org
Society for College & University
Planning  www.scup.org
+
Resources

The Art of Asking: Ask Better Questions, Get Better Answers,
Terry Fadem, FT Press, 2009

Leading with Questions, Michael Marquardt, Jossey-Bass, 2005

The Secrets of Facilitation, Michael Wilkinson, Jossey-Bass, 200

Beyond the Obvious: Killer Questions That Spark GameChanging Innovation, Phil Mckinney, Hyperion, 2012

How The Way We Talk Can Change The Way We Work, Robert
Kegan & Lisa Lakow, Jossey-Bass, 2001
Society for College & University Planning 
www.scup.org