Attributes of powerful questioning: from interrogation to productive dialog
We know that having difficult conversations with employees is hard
We sometimes tetter on the edge of being seen as the dreaded "safety cop".
The delicate art of fostering a culture of safety without coming across as an enforcer requires skill, empathy, and a dash of curiosity.
One powerful tool that can help achieve this transformation is the art of asking good questions. By mastering the skill of asking questions that provoke, inspire, and shift people's thinking, you can turn otherwise interrogation-style interactions into productive conversations. The better we ask questions, the more strategic we use certain types of questions in certain situations can positively shift not only the tone of the conversation but how psychologically safe the receiver feels with you asking.
In Amy Edmondson's book, The Fearless Organization, she discusses this topic in great detail. There she notes, there are a few rules of thumb for asking good questions:
1. you don't know the answer i.e., structure the question so it doesn't sound like you already know the answer and are trying to elicit a specific response
2. you ask the questions that don't limit the response options to yes/no - ask something more open ended so its a conversation and not an interrogation.
3. phrase the question in a way that helps others share their thinking in a focused way - you are asking them so hear more from them, but use your line of questioning to get the most out of them.
To continue with those rules of thumb, she also notes there are ten attributes of powerful questions that you should be situationally using. These attributes describe how your line of questions should be though provoking, inspiring and shift peoples thinking:
generates curiosity in the listener
stimulates reflective conversation
thought provoking
surfaces underlying assumptions
invites creativity and new possibilities
generates energy and forward movement
channels attention and focuses inquiry
stays with participants
touches a deep meaning
evokes more questions
We need to pick the right type of question at the right time. Using these attributes serve as our playbook for the tone, length, or depth of how are question is asked.
Well great, but now how does that translate into action for us?
Here's a list of questions and interaction scenarios based on the rules of thumb and attributes we've already talked about. These questions are designed to encourage open dialogue, reflection, and creative problem-solving rather than being an interrogation. Let's look at some real-world scenarios where health and safety professionals can use the power of good questions to transform interactions:
1. Scenario: Discussing a recent safety incident
Can you walk me through what happened during the incident?
What factors do you think contributed to the incident?
How might we prevent such incidents in the future?
What ideas do you have for improving safety in this situation
2. Scenario: Addressing a potential safety violation
Can you explain the reason behind your approach in this situation?
What alternatives did you consider when deciding on this method?
How do you think we can maintain safety while achieving our goals here?
What are your thoughts on the safety guidelines in place?
3. Scenario: Conducting a safety training session
What aspects of our safety procedures are unclear to you?
How can we make safety training more engaging and effective?
Can you share an example of how you applied safety knowledge in your work?
What suggestions do you have to improve safety awareness in the workplace?
4. Scenario: Encouraging safety suggestions from employees
What safety concerns have you observed recently?
How would you propose we address those concerns?
What are your thoughts on potential safety improvements in your area?
Can you describe a situation where you implemented a safety idea successfully?
5. Scenario: Reviewing safety policies and procedures
What do you think are the strengths and weaknesses of our current safety policies?
How might we adapt our safety procedures to better suit your work?
What are the most critical aspects of safety for you in your daily tasks?
What creative solutions can we explore to enhance safety measures?
Remember to ensure that your tone and body language reflect your genuine curiosity and willingness to listen. Encourage open sharing of thoughts and experiences, and be open to the ideas and feedback your team provides. This approach will help you establish a culture of safety that is based on collaboration and continuous improvement rather than enforcement.
