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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Questions Are the Answer summary
Hal Gregersen
A New Approach to Your Most Vexing Problems at Work and in Life
17 mins
Brief summary
Questions Are the Answer emphasizes the power of inquiry in fostering innovation and problem-solving. Hal Gregersen discusses techniques for asking transformative questions to unlock creative solutions and drive progress both personally and professionally.
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Questions Are the Answer
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Key idea 1 of 5
What could happen if you asked the right questions?
The idea that solving problems isn’t about finding better answers, but asking better questions, can transform how you approach challenges – whether in your daily life or larger-scale issues. The act of questioning uncovers possibilities that you might never have even considered before.
Take Andreas Heinecke. Tasked with helping a blind colleague re-enter the workforce, he initially focused on what jobs his colleague could still manage despite his disability, a question that framed blindness as a limitation. But when Heinecke reframed the question, asking how the blind could use their unique strengths – like navigating the world without sight – he created an immersive experience where blind guides lead sighted participants through total darkness. This innovation provided meaningful employment for blind individuals and challenged sighted people to entirely rethink their assumptions about disability.
In another example, instead of asking how to improve existing photography technology, George Eastman, the founder of Kodak, wondered how photography could be made simple and accessible for everyone. This question led to the development of cameras that anyone could use and business models that revolutionized the industry. By reframing questions, Eastman and Heinecke solved problems but also opened up new possibilities.
Good questions also help you tackle the unknown. These are the gaps in understanding that you may not even realize exist until it’s too late. Ride-sharing companies succeeded by asking how ordinary drivers could meet transportation needs, disrupting the taxi industry entirely. Reframed questions like these don’t just improve on old ideas, they create entirely new ones.
Asking better questions isn’t an innate gift; it’s a skill anyone can develop. Elon Musk uses what he calls first-principles thinking. He breaks problems down to their most basic truths before rebuilding solutions, stripping away assumptions that might block fresh ideas. Debbie Sterling, the founder of GoldieBlox, used a similar approach when she asked how to design toys that would encourage girls to explore engineering. Her question changed how toys are marketed and helped challenge gender stereotypes.
Not all questions are equally powerful, though. Closed questions with single answers often limit creativity, while open-ended ones invite exploration. Many parents of children with autism, for instance, have stopped asking what will happen to their kids in the future, and instead have begun asking how they can create meaningful lives for them now. This change in perspective leads to more actionable solutions rather than paralyzing fears.
When you’re willing to challenge assumptions, you open the door to unexpected answers. The right question doesn’t just solve a problem – it transforms how you see it. By learning to ask better questions, you unlock opportunities you didn’t even know were there.
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What is Questions Are the Answer about?
Questions Are the Answer (2018) explores the transformative power of asking the right questions to unlock innovative solutions across all aspects of life, from the workplace to personal challenges. Based on over 200 interviews with creative problem-solvers, it reveals how catalytic questions can dissolve barriers, spark fresh thinking, and accelerate breakthroughs, offering practical insights for anyone to cultivate this skill.
Who should read Questions Are the Answer?
- Leaders aiming to inspire creativity within their teams
- Educators encouraging curiosity to help students realize their potential
- Professionals reframing challenges to uncover fresh opportunities and solutions
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