How to Ask Better Questions | Mike Vaughan | TEDxMileHigh

Summary

The speaker, with over 20 years of experience in the field of thinking, discusses the increasing complexity of decision-making despite advancements in information technology. They introduce a model that differentiates between teaching 'what to think' and 'how to think', emphasizing the latter's importance for adaptability and innovation. The talk explores cognitive neuroscience and computer science to understand and improve decision-making through advanced simulations. It concludes with the powerful impact of asking good questions, which can lead to deep thinking, creativity, and action, suggesting that in an era of AI, the ability to ask insightful questions is more crucial than ever.

Takeaways

• 🤔 The speaker has been contemplating the nature of thinking for over 20 years and has more questions than answers, highlighting the complexity of the subject.
• 🌐 The Millennium Project's State of the Future Report identifies 'the capacity to decide' as one of the top 15 global challenges humanity faces.
• 🧠 Most training focuses on 'what to think', providing processes and information, but neglects 'how to think', which is crucial for adaptability and innovation.
• 📚 The current educational and media approach to information dissemination is likened to fast food, convenient but often lacking in depth and critical thought.
• 🔄 The speaker advocates for a shift from teaching 'what to think' to teaching 'how to think', emphasizing the importance of learning how to learn, unlearn, and relearn.
• 🧪 The speaker's mission involves leveraging cognitive neuroscience and computer science to understand and improve decision-making and learning processes.
• 💡 Advanced computer simulations are used to challenge participants' decision-making and problem-solving abilities, providing a controlled environment to study thinking.
• 📉 Despite extensive 'what-to-think' training, participants in simulations often resorted to guessing, indicating that more data and tools do not necessarily improve decision-making.
• 👥 The focus shifted to team performance, recognizing that many challenges are too complex for individuals and that collective intelligence is key.
• 🗣️ Top performers are distinguished by their ability to ask good questions, which can reduce conflict, foster understanding, and drive innovation.
• 🔑 The framing of questions is critical; they can either limit thinking or unlock a wealth of possibilities, shaping the way we approach problems and solutions.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the Millennium Project's State of the Future Report?

The main focus of the State of the Future Report is to outline the 15 global challenges facing humanity, which include clean water, population growth, energy, and notably, decision-making as the ninth challenge.

Why does the speaker believe decision-making is becoming more challenging despite advancements in information technology?

The speaker suggests that decision-making is becoming more challenging because most training focuses on 'what to think' rather than 'how to think,' leading to an over-reliance on prepackaged ideas and methodologies, which may not foster deeper understanding or adaptability.

How does the speaker describe the current approach to education and training in terms of 'what to think'?

The speaker compares the current approach to 'what to think' as similar to fast food: convenient, fast, prepackaged, and often overly processed, which does little to contribute to a deeper understanding of the world.

What is the difference between 'what to think' and 'how to think' according to the speaker?

'What to think' provides specific processes, procedures, and information for performing tasks, while 'how to think' is about learning how to learn, unlearn, and relearn quickly, allowing for adaptability to multiple situations.

What are the two areas the speaker focuses on to help find the optimal balance between 'what' and 'how'?

The speaker focuses on cognitive neuroscience and computer science to find the optimal balance. Cognitive neuroscience explores how we learn and the impacts of bias, communication, and education on learning and memory, while computer science looks for technologies to study and enhance decision-making.

How do the computer-based simulations created by the speaker help in learning how to think?

The simulations challenge participants to make decisions and solve problems similar to those in their organizations, allowing them to learn how to think about their own organization and providing data to assess their thinking over time.

What was the surprising finding when participants with a lot of 'what-to-think' training were placed in simulations?

The surprising finding was that when given more data, tools, checklists, and choices, the decision-making of most participants did not improve; it often got worse, suggesting that additional information alone does not enhance decision-making skills.

Why did the speaker shift the focus from individual to team performance?

The speaker shifted the focus to team performance because they realized that many challenges are too big for one person and that improving how people collaborate and solve problems together could improve overall thinking and decision-making.

What common skill did the speaker identify in top performers that contributes to their success?

The common skill identified in top performers is the ability to ask good questions. These questions are different in what they ask and how they ask, often suspending judgment to understand others' perspectives, reducing conflict, and creating a shared vision.

How do the types of questions we ask ourselves impact our thinking and decision-making?

The types of questions we ask ourselves can either narrow down our focus or open up possibilities. For example, asking 'What should we do?' may limit options, while 'What could we do?' expands the range of potential solutions.

What is the significance of asking good questions in the context of the speaker's mission?

Asking good questions is significant because it can demystify the unknown, expose biases, surface beliefs, and create an environment for learning and connection. It is a skill that can lead to innovative thinking and action, which is crucial in an era where computers are becoming better at answering questions.