The Superpower of Asking Better Questions to Spark New Opportunities

Written By Kim Marie McKernan

We live in a time when knowledge is a commodity. Yet leaders are often celebrated for finding the right answers, but what if the secret to exceptional team performance is asking the right questions? Questions that challenge assumptions, open doors to new possibilities, and inspire teams to stretch further. Welcome to the art of impactful questioning — a skill that holds the potential to transform organizations, drive strategy, and expand creative potential.

What Makes a Question Impactful?

Powerful questions don't just scratch the surface. They create ripples that provoke thought, inspire curiosity, and invite innovation. Here’s what impactful questions can accomplish:

  • Create curiosity in the listener

  • Stimulate reflective conversation

  • Challenge underlying assumptions

  • Invite creativity and new possibilities

  • Generate energy and forward momentum

  • Channel attention and focus exploration

An impactful question isn’t just a query; it’s a catalyst for change, reflection, and growth. David L. Cooperrider, the thought leader behind Appreciative Inquiry, describes it as, “We all live in the world our questions create.” 

Why High-Performing Teams Demand Better Questions

We live in times when knowledge is a commodity. Success is no longer about having all the answers. High-performing teams thrive on the lightbulb effect that asking inspired questions can bring. Great questions can:

  • Spark solutions in unexplored areas

  • Broaden perspectives and challenge entrenched thinking

  • Build trust by creating space for collaboration

  • Reframe problems into opportunities

Modern leaders must move beyond delivering directives and focus on nurturing team creativity and resourcefulness. This transition starts by mastering the art of the question.

Practical Techniques for Asking More Impactful Questions

Not all questions are created equal. Fortunately, impactful questioning is a skill that can be practiced and refined. Here are some techniques to get you started:

1. Use Statement Starters

Start questions with phrases that encourage possibility and creativity. Examples include:

  • "How might we accomplish this differently?"

  • " In what ways might we approach this from a different angle?"

  • "Wouldn’t it be great if…?"

2. Reframe Assumptions

Rather than focusing solely on problems, use reframing to identify opportunities. For instance, instead of asking, "Why did this fail?" reframe it to "What can we learn from this experience to improve next time?"

3. Question the Questions

Challenge the quality of your own inquiries. Ask, "Is this question energizing the team? Inspiring creativity? Encouraging action?"

4. Leverage Technology

Tools like ChatGPT can significantly enhance your curiosity as a leader. Use AI to suggest better ways to phrase or refine your questions for clarity. For instance:

  • Ask ChatGPT to help reframe closed-ended questions into open-ended ones.

  • Use it to generate “what if” scenarios that spark innovative ideas.

5. Incorporate the Why–What If–How Model

This model organizes the creative process into three steps:

  • Why does it have to be this way? Question the status quo.

  • What if we tried something different? Open the door to new solutions.

  • How can we make it happen? Formulate actionable steps, test, prototype, and iterate.

For entrepreneurs ready to innovate a new product, business model, or software solution, these three questions are an effective process for starting or growing a new business. By incorporating these approaches, teams find solutions more effectively and collectively.

How to Broaden Your Toolkit with AI

Leaders today have access to advanced tools like ChatGPT that can transform how they engage with their teams and generate ideas. Following the guidelines of Human First…Human Last, here’s how you can use it to strengthen your team performance:

  • Prompt Engineering

Ask ChatGPT to refine your prompts and steer conversations toward creativity. For example, request better versions of your questions or ask them to help you break down complex problems.

  • Reverse Roles

Flip the dynamic by asking ChatGPT to take the lead by questioning you. This flipped interaction can uncover blind spots and encourage you to think more expansively.

  • Generate Possibilities

Use AI to brainstorm ideas for a new project, troubleshoot a team challenge, or create a starter list.

Use AI not to replace teams but to enhance them. By using tools like ChatGPT, teams can stretch their creative potential and make their time working together more productive.

Ask Questions That Make a Difference

The next time you're engaged in a decision-making or idea generation process, you can just ignore the urge to offer solutions immediately. Instead:

  • Listen deeply.

  • Ask questions that open doors rather than close conversations.

  • Inspire curiosity and reflection in those around you.

Your ability to ask meaningful and engaging questions will lay the groundwork for continuous leadership growth, deeper trust, and more creative teams.

Transform your teams today by asking better questions. Curious about how to take the next step?

I am presenting an immersion session called Ask a More Impactful Question as a Leadership Superpower with Terry Fulcher at the Creative Problem Solving Institute (CPSI). If you are interested in a presentation on this topic tailored to meet the needs of your team or group, reach out today. Start Now.

Resources:

 
Kim Marie McKernan https://www.inspiredoutcomesnow.com
Next

Why Your Brand Strategy Should Be Your True North as You Scale