Let’s talk about questioning techniques for facilitators. Asking questions is one of the key concepts of facilitation so it’s about time we covered this in more depth.
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We aim to create a safe and inclusive space where participants can share their thoughts, ideas, and perspectives. One of the key tools that we have at our disposal to achieve this goal is the use of effective questioning techniques.
In this blog post, we will explore some of the most effective questioning techniques that facilitators can use to encourage discussion, stimulate critical thinking, and elicit valuable insights from participants.
Whether you are facilitating a corporate meeting, a workshop, a training session, or a community event, these techniques can help you to create a dynamic and engaging learning environment that truly fosters collaboration and creativity.
Questioning Techniques That Facilitators NEED To Know About
We’re going to cover 4 types of questioning:
- Open-ended questions
- Probing questions
- Clarifying questions
- Socratic questions
So let’s get straight into it.
1. Open-ended questions
Questions that are broad and non-leading, and encourage group members to share their thoughts and ideas in depth.
Open-ended questions are questions that do not have a fixed or predetermined answer. They are designed to encourage the person (or grup) being asked the question to think and respond in their own words. Here are some examples of open-ended questions:
- What do you think about the current state of the world?
- Can you describe your ideal vacation?
- How do you think technology will change in the next 10 years?
- What makes a good leader?
- What do you think is the most important issue facing our society today?
- How do you define success?
- What are your hopes and dreams for this project?
Open-ended questions can be used in a variety of settings, such as in job interviews, in counseling or therapy sessions, in corporate meetings, training sessions and in everyday conversations.
They can help to generate thoughtful and meaningful responses, and can provide valuable insight into someone’s thoughts, feelings, and beliefs.
See also: Are icebreakers necessary or just embarrassing?
2. Probing questions
A questioning technique designed to help group members explore and clarify their ideas, and encourage them to think more deeply about a topic.
Probing questions are questions that are designed to elicit more detailed or specific responses.
They are often used in corporate meetings or workshops to help encourage more thorough and thoughtful discussion on a particular topic.
Here are some examples of probing questions that facilitators can use:
- Can you provide more details about the challenges you are facing with this project?
- What are the potential risks associated with this decision?
- What are the potential benefits of implementing this new strategy?
- Can you explain the logic behind your proposal?
- What are the potential consequences of not taking action on this issue?
- What are the most important factors to consider when making this decision?
- Can you provide any evidence or data to support your argument?
Probing questions can help to stimulate discussion and can provide valuable information that can be used to make more informed decisions.
They can also help to ensure that all relevant information and perspectives are considered during a meeting.
3. Clarifying Questions
Types of questions that are designed to help group members understand each other’s perspectives, and ensure that everyone is on the same page.
Clarifying questions are questions that are used to seek further information or clarification on a particular topic or issue.
They can be used in meetings and other to help ensure that everyone is on the same page and has a clear understanding of what is being discussed.
Here are some examples of clarifying questions that could be used in corporate meetings:
- Can you explain what you mean by that?
- Could you provide more information on the specific actions you are proposing?
- Can you give an example of how this would work in practice?
- What are the key points we need to consider when making this decision?
- Can you clarify the timeline for this project?
- What are the key objectives we are trying to achieve with this initiative?
- Can you explain the underlying assumptions that are being made in this proposal?
Clarifying questions can help to ensure that everyone in the meeting has a shared understanding of the topic at hand, and can help to prevent misunderstandings or confusion. They can also help to identify any gaps or areas that need further exploration or discussion.
4. Socratic questioning
This is method for facilitating discussions and critical thinking by asking a series of open-ended, probing, and clarifying questions that help group members explore and challenge their assumptions and beliefs.
Socratic questions are a type of questioning technique that is based on the method used by the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates. These questions are designed to challenge assumptions and encourage critical thinking. They are often used in corporate meetings to help stimulate discussion and encourage people to think more deeply about a particular topic.
Here are some examples of socratic questions that could be used in corporate meetings:
- What are the underlying assumptions behind this proposal?
- How does this idea align with our overall goals and objectives?
- Are there any potential drawbacks to this plan that we should consider?
- How does this proposal compare to other options that we have considered?
- Can you provide evidence or examples to support your argument?
- What are the potential long-term implications of this decision?
- How does this idea fit within the broader context of our industry?
Socratic questions can help to stimulate critical thinking and can encourage people to consider a topic from multiple perspectives. They can also help to identify any gaps or inconsistencies in an argument or proposal.
Why Are Questioning Techniques So Important For Facilitators?
Questioning techniques are important for facilitators because they help to create a dynamic and engaging learning environment.
Effective questioning can encourage participants to share their thoughts, ideas, and perspectives, and can stimulate critical thinking and problem-solving.
Remember that the goal is to help people reach consensus, in order to do that people need to feel confident that their responses are valued.
We have to ask questions to get responses. The wording and style of the question influences the response.
The use of questioning can also help to elicit valuable insights and information that can be used to make more informed decisions or to drive the discussion in a particular direction.
Additionally, questioning techniques can help facilitators to create a safe and inclusive space where participants feel comfortable speaking up and expressing themselves.
By asking open-ended, non-judgmental questions, this will naturally encourage participants to share their experiences and perspectives without fear of being judged or criticized. This can help to foster a sense of trust and connection among participants, and can encourage more active and engaged participation.
Questioning techniques can also help you to manage group dynamics and to keep the discussion focused and on track.
When you ask targeted, well-crafted questions, you can guide the discussion in a particular direction and can help to prevent tangents or irrelevant topics from taking over the conversation.
Check out the Parking Lot method to handle discussions that go off-track (this is an open questioning method). Techniques like this can help to ensure that the discussion remains productive and focused, and can help facilitators to achieve the desired outcomes of the meeting or event.
See also: 30 Icebreaker Questions for Your Next Event
Summary
In conclusion, effective questioning is an essential skill for facilitators. By using a variety of questioning techniques, facilitators can create a dynamic and engaging learning environment, encourage active participation, foster trust and connection among participants, and keep the discussion focused and on track.
Whether you are facilitating a corporate meeting, a workshop, or a community event, the right questioning techniques can help you to create a successful and meaningful learning experience for your participants.
As a facilitator, it is important to continually refine and develop your questioning skills, in order to create the best possible learning environment for your participants.
