Questioning Skills

So let’s get down to it. This is a Practice Guide, so let’s get to the practice part. The First Shift, as we discussed, is simple. Stop telling, Ask questions. Stop hunting, Start BrainFishing. This, of course, sounds easy when you say it quickly – Sure! Just ask questions! No problem! In reality, this First Shift, the shift in our behaviour, is one that requires us to change a habit. Telling is nothing more than a habit – but a deeply ingrained one – taught to us from a very, very young age…Yet telling, like many habits, can be replaced by better, more effective habits.

LESSON 1 – Basic BrainFishing Equipment
Before actually fishing, it would be good to understand a bit about the “equipment”. In this case, the equipment is an understanding of the art and science of the question. We’ll spend some time with the basics of questioning.

LESSON 2 – Baiting the Hook, Casting and Reeling
Once we understand the basics about questioning (and it ain’t rocket science), it’s important to think about the “bait” – what do we ask about that will engage Blue Brains, attract them, make them think? What can we put in front of them that will attract them and engage them? What is the target, the focus of our questions? And finally, what will entice Blue Brains to engage in a good problem-solving conversation?

LESSON 3 – Filling Your Tackle Box
Once we are comfortable with the basics of questioning, and once we start baiting, casting and reeling, what equipment is there for more advanced BrainFishing? We’ll show you the many different questions, the many lures, hooks, and flies that you have available to you to accomplish specific goals and to address different kinds of problems. In other words, when faced with different kinds of people and different situations, you can use different approaches with different tools in order to effectively attract Blue Brains.