Challenging vs intimidating questions
By Gary Cohen
Q: What's the difference between challenging questions and intimidating questions?
A: Challenging questions open people up to creative thinking. When John F. Kennedy suggested we put a man on the moon, many challenging questions followed. How do we do it? What are our options? What materials should we use? Challenging questions inspire people to action—to bridge the gulf between possibility and reality.
 Intimidating questions shut off creative thinking. Why haven't we done this? How could this have happened? Who was responsible for this? These questions will rot an organization from the inside. When people feel judged, they close up and stop using their brain. They no longer feel empowered. They no longer want to take risks. Their fear will prevent them from considering innovative possibilities for themselves and the organization.
 Many of us were taught how to be critical thinkers in school. We want to identify a problem and search for its root cause. How do you identify the root cause without passing judgement? That's the trick. Rather t han looking to assign blame, make the search about finding a solution, not finding the problem. Awaken the creative thinking in your organization. Ask, "How might we improve in the future?"
