Building Better Questions

Some thoughts on better questions, curiosity, and learning to zoom out.

In this age of evolving AI capability, I’m learning pretty quickly that if my questions (or prompts) aren’t tight, then neither are the answers, haha.

I laugh, because it feels like I’ve built a bit of a ‘relationship’ with my AI – professional of course, and with a number of projects on the go, I can sometimes jump around a bit and be a bit off-hand. If I don’t provide context, clarity or reference my request, the response can be a little underwhelming or completely off topic.

Jumping off topic for a moment, this, of course, very much relates to interactions with people as well. After centuries of talking to each other, it seems we are yet to nail great communication.

Back to it. It’s a fun and interesting space to be in, reframing my ‘thinking’ approach. In a nutshell, my ‘old way’ of gaining insights and understanding needed to evolve. Particularly so when using an artificial intelligence with access to almost everything ever written. Fortunately, I have the gift of absorbing and processing information fast, so the learning hasn’t been taxing to date.

As a strategist and project manager there is generally a strong focus on detailed plans and clearer steps. Basically, trying to create certainty around how we want things to unfold (as I pondered on in yesterday’s ‘When Direction matters more than Certainly).’

What I’m fast coming to appreciate is that I don’t need better answers, because the world is changing so rapidly, nothing is certain.

What I do need is better questions. Way better questions. And big ones too.

East is the place where this shift happens.

The East Compass Point is about expanding this field. It invites us to lift our gaze and notice what we might be missing when we might be focused too closely on the details. It’s not to do more, but to look at things differently. And sometimes, that change in perspective is enough to alter the path ahead.

I didn’t arrive at some of the most important turning points in my life by following a perfect plan (quite the opposite!) I arrived by generally staying curious and open, if not a little impatient at times, for the pathway to emerge. Often, the clarity came after I stopped trying to force an outcome and allowed space for insight, learning, and exploration.

East reminds us that curiosity isn’t passive; it’s very much an active orientation that we need to cultivate.

It asks questions like:
What else might be going on here?
What assumptions am I making?
What becomes possible if I zoom out?

When environments are changing quickly, as they certainly are now, exactness can only take us so far. Perspective matters more. Because when the landscape shifts, the original map needs to shift.

This doesn’t mean direction disappears, far from it. It remains key.

East works best when paired with a clear sense of intent. But instead of clinging to fixed answers, it invites us to stay open - to adjust, to learn, and to respond to what’s actually unfolding.

It’s like imagining the road north is clearly on the horizon, but the surface of the road, the winds, the stops, the side views may all be evolving or simply out of current view.

It’s reminding ourselves that sometimes the most useful move isn’t to push forward, but to step back and reevaluate.

To widen the view.
To ask a different question.

And to trust that clarity will follow, not from control, but from curiosity.

Further insights: if this resonates, you might like to check out 'A New Compass: Finding your Inner North' mini-course. There is also a free guide.
#anewcompass #leadinglights