Mastering the Art of Questions: Scaling Leadership in the Age of Generative AI
Introduction
In a world where AI puts knowledge at our fingertips, what really sets leaders apart? Is it about having the right answers or about asking better questions?
In today’s landscape, where generative AI democratizes access to information, leaders are faced with an unusual paradox: answers are easily accessible, but the ability to frame problems which result in innovative or efficient solutions is harder. The skill gap isn’t about knowing more—it’s about thinking better. Asking the right questions has become the cornerstone of effective leadership.
QFT helped me break down big, abstract problems into clear, actionable steps, making it easier to tackle blue-sky challenges. It also played a key role in my growth—helping me move from an individual contributor to opening up bigger opportunities and scaling faster. - Prangyit
I’ve seen this firsthand while scaling a critical function within my organization. With a small, relatively inexperienced team, we tackled blue-sky to narrow focused problems that others would have deemed unsolvable without hiring senior experts. How? By embedding the Question Formulation Technique (QFT) into our approach.
What is QFT?
QFT is a structured approach that guides individuals through the process of creating their own questions. By promoting the creation of a wide array of questions without immediate judgment, it fosters critical thinking and deeper engagement. This technique enhances not only comprehension but also collaboration, leading to a more thorough exploration of any subject.QFT is also offered as a course by Harvard University and the power of it is backed by evidence from a research conducted. In Science education, teachers using QFT saw an average weighted mean of 4.39, demonstrating its profound impact on developing higher-order thinking skills and boosting learners' reasoning abilities.
Benefits of QFT:
Deeper Engagement: By formulating their own questions, participants become more deeply invested in the learning process, which has been shown to enhance their understanding and retention of the material.
Critical Thinking: Encourages the analysis of information and helps identify gaps in knowledge, ultimately improving decision-making abilities.
Improved Comprehension: Engaging with the material through questioning allows for a more nuanced understanding, leading to better outcomes.
Enhanced Collaboration: The technique fosters group discussions, where diverse perspectives lead to a richer, more collaborative learning experience.
Empowerment: Through the act of questioning, individuals are empowered to take control of their own learning, gaining confidence in their abilities.
Real-World Insight
When I faced a pivotal moment of scaling a critical function in my organization, the challenge was clear but undefined. It was a blue-sky problem with no established playbook, a complex issue that demanded not only new ideas but also structured, thoughtful problem-solving. Instead of opting for the traditional route of hiring senior talent, I decided to introduce the Question Formulation Technique (QFT). I guided my team through generating and prioritizing questions to explore the problem more effectively.
The results were significant. Even less-experienced members uncovered solutions that surpassed the need for hiring senior talent, proving that thoughtful questioning can be more effective than expertise alone. The structured process we used helped us think critically and work collaboratively, driving faster, more innovative solutions.
By applying QFT with my team, we improved how we work together and consistently delivered better results. Sowmya’s guidance in introducing and applying this technique has been one of the most impactful lessons in my journey. - Prangyit
After this experiment, I adopted a routine where, after understanding the problem, I encouraged team members to spend 15 minutes listing their questions. They would then share their list on QuestionWave, an online tool we used to streamline the process of sharing questions. This step allowed me to assess how deeply they were thinking and, if necessary, course-correct before they invested more time. Additionally, I would ask them to reflect on which questions they might have missed and how they could improve their question formulation next time.
How You Can Apply It
Check out the visual illustration below for a simplified, step-by-step breakdown of how to implement QFT with your team. This visual guide will help you easily apply the process and see its impact.
Conclusion
The Question Formulation Technique (QFT) is not just a tool—it's a framework for cultivating critical thinking and structured problem-solving within your team. By encouraging your team to generate, prioritize, and reflect on their questions, you foster deeper engagement, better decision-making, and a culture of continuous improvement. As we move forward, leveraging this technique will ensure that your leadership scales strategically, grounded in data-driven insights and thoughtful inquiry.
References
https://twowritingteachers.org/2017/06/01/the-question-formulation-technique-for-deepening-thought/