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Cutting Questions

  • Artikkeli

Note: This article is updated at Cutting Questions.

How do you cut to the chase?  How do you clear the air of ambiguity and get to facts?  Ask cutting questions.

My manager, Per , doesn't ask a lot of questions.  He asks the right ones.  Here's some examples:

  • Who's on board?  Who are five customers that stand behind you?
  • Next steps?
  • What does your gut say?
  • Is it working?  Is it effective?
  • What would "x" say? (for example, what would your peers say?)
  • What's their story?
  • Where's your prioritized list of scenarios?

As simple as it sounds, having five separate customers stand behind you is a start.  I'm in the habbit of litmus checking my path early on to see who's on board or to find the resistance.  As customers get on board, my confidence goes up.  I've also seen this cutting question work well with startups. I've asked a few startups about their five customers.  Some had great ideas, but no customers on board.  The ones that had at least five are still around.

At the end of any meeting, Per never fails to ask "next steps? ", and the meeting quickly shifts from talk to action.

"Is it working?" is a pretty cutting question.  It's great because it forces you to step back and reflect on your results and consider a change in approach.

Comments

  • Anonymous
    August 24, 2007
    I'm a big fan of predetermining consequences early (or at least trying). I've seen many projects or initiatives--backed by many customers or stakeholders--come to fruition only go get that that golden "Aha" moment of realization that some consequence invalidates it entirely.

  • Anonymous
    August 24, 2007
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    October 08, 2007
    Whether you're a new hire or taking on a new job, here's some principles, patterns and practices to be

  • Anonymous
    August 03, 2008
    I like to learn from everyone around me.  One of my most influential mentors has been my manager,

  • Anonymous
    October 27, 2008
    导读今天发现了这篇非常精彩的，内容超级丰富的文章，实在忍不住，转载于此。 原文地址：http://blogs.msdn.com/jmeier/archive/2008/10/13/effective...