What’s Another Question

Today’s podcast examines a popular decision-making method called weighted criteria, a tool used to evaluate a set of choices against a set of criteria that weighted according to their perceived importance. The question we examine today is, does this method provide a means for sound decision-making and what are the better questions we need to be asking?

The plethora of journal articles points to the value of becoming data-driven. But an even greater number point to the fact that the majority of data projects are failing and that businesses are not realizing the hoped-for value. Why does this make perfect sense? What are the questions that data project leaders are failing to ask and answer? That's the topic we explore, with special guest and expert decision analyst, Rob Brown.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the workplace continue to produce less-than hoped for outcomes. Research shows that despite well-intended efforts, the needle has barely moved. To what extent are organizations asking the wrong question to the wrong people? This powerful interview with mental health specialist and inclusion advocate, Elizabeth L. McCorvey, LCSW explores this question, one that should be explored by every organization seeking to create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. (36 min)

One of my four principles for Asking the Better Question® is what you WANT to know is NOT necessarily the specific question that you will ask.  The information that I am seeking might need a set of different question structures to pull out the information that you are seeking from stakeholders, customers, or employees. Check out our first "Tip of the Month" Question Podcast!

What is your client or customer's biggest problem? How does that align with the problem your technology solves? What would drive your client or customer to purchase or consume your technology? What are the features and benefits that might be of no value to them? The I-Corps Program has an established track record for improving the commercialization of technologies by getting developers and entrepreneurs "off the lab bench and out of the building" to meet with and understand the needs of the target customers. This podcast explores the firsthand experience of an I-Corp participant and how the questions this program advocates radically changed the thinking regarding commercialization opportunities.

Organizational adoption rates of new technologies, processes, and initiatives could learn valuable lessons from The I-Corps™ Program, a program created by the NSF in 2011 to help move academic research it has funded to market.  Join me and my guest, Dr. Mathew Lynall, Director of the I-Corps Program at Purdue University, to learn how an entrepreneur's questioning process and commercialization success rate is improved by getting off the lab bench and out of the building and sitting down with customers to ask the better question.

This podcast explores the challenges faced by Chevron's Decision Boards to improve the quality of their conversations with decision teams. Special guests include Frank Koch, retired Decision Advisor Practice Lead for Chevron and Dr. Gary Bush, decision expert and leadership coach, explore the better questions that steering committees, advisory councils, and leadership teams can ask to more effectively steer the work and output of decision teams.

Ready to refine your skills in questioning? Looking for an understanding of how your current questions might be limiting the solutions you seek? Check out the topics we will be covering. Ready to air April 15th!