Crafting Strategic Questions - New Directions Collaborative

Leading with Questions Not Answers

Strategic questions are a powerful technique to engage groups in innovative thinking, to develop strategy, to facilitate change, and build buy-in for new ideas.

Strategic questions lead us to reflect in ways that inspire movement. When we engage in conversations based on strategic questions we enter a space of “not knowing,” since really, many of the challenges we face are unprecedented and we cannot simply project what worked in the past. Strategic questions:

Create movement and energy for change
Dislodge old thought patterns and assumptions
Broaden our sense of options
Help us see the big picture and gain new perspectives on how to advance change
Invite further learning
Tend to evoke a deep response, often months later.

Strategic questions make people say, “That’s a great question. I haven’t thought about it that way before.”

Here are some examples of strategic questions:

When you saw a major change happen here in the past, what actions and conditions led to that change? How might we create those conditions as we approach this change?
What can we do together that none of us can do alone?
What are the strengths and skills that I enjoy using that I can contribute most effectively here?
Who could be allies we have not thought of?
How could we tie the need for change on our initiative to an issue already getting attention?

Click here to learn more by reading our blogs on the topic of strategic questioning.

The technique of Strategic Questioning was developed by the social activist, Fran Peavey. This link has more details.

Testimonials

Beth brings a deep understanding of collaborative process and networks that has consistently helped us clarify our role as an evolving network. She has helped us to design and facilitate meetings for small (25 people) and larger groups (200) that are engaging, inclusive, and intentional. Our network partners report that they bring the facilitation ideas and techniques from those meetings back to their own work and communities.
– Erin Hardie Hale, PhD, Research and Network Coordinator, NH Food Alliance
Beth facilitated a thought-provoking training with about 30 professional staff about strategic questioning as a tool to strengthen connections and understanding of others and ourselves. Years later, we are still using the concepts she taught us as part of our daily work as educators and supervisors. Blending experiential activities with well-grounded theory, her workshops spur engagement, incite curiosity, and offer new insights.
– Ruth Abelmann, Director of Residential Life, University of New Hampshire
The participatory leadership skills that Beth teaches have been extremely valuable to me, both personally and professionally. I’ve been able to apply the tools I’ve learned in my work with stakeholders and collaborators. A key “aha” moment was appreciating that if I truly want systems change and buy-in from others, I need to let go in order for others to step up and lead.
– Chris Meehan, MBA, Chief Community Impact Officer, Vermont Foodbank
As a policy organization that is so focused on results, you keep us thinking about how to broaden our reach and strengthen the network for the long game. I really value your guidance on designing effective agendas for meetings that bring together multiple interests. I appreciate the reminders that there is a process for making people feel good and included, even if you don’t agree with them.
– Josh Craft, Energy & Climate Program Director, Environmental League of MA
Beth is a truly remarkable, one-of-a-kind facilitator, systems-thinker and participatory leadership coach. She facilitated an inclusive process to bring people from 30 organizations, with divergent views, to align around strategies on how to move forward together. This helped us to drive systems change in one of our core issue areas. I can’t recommend her highly enough.
– Matt Prindiville, Executive Director, UPSTREAM
In my work to help schools understand and reduce their food waste, I have to bring many different stakeholders together. I’ve already used tools that I learned in Working in Collaborative Ways with a group of middle school students and at a regional environmental conference. The middle school teacher was amazed at how every student found a voice. At the conference, I was able to really engage with the conference attendees rather than just presenting to them.
– Diane Calvin, Founder and ED, foodSCAPE
Your facilitation techniques helped us bring together grassroots leaders who don’t usually meet to share viewpoints and get to deeper project discussions than we often see. The meaningful relationships started there have continued beyond the event. To make progress on complex issues of equity and justice, we need the kind of training you offer to help emerging leaders convene inclusive meetings where all voices are heard.
– Julia Dundorf, Executive Director, New England Grassroots Environment Fund