Inquiry

Inclusions

When we hold a precious stone up to an intense light, it reveals any inclusions and blemishes. We might be utilizing the stone for a purpose that does not require a high grade, or we may intend to make the stone the centerpiece of our work, which would benefit from fewer visible inclusions.

What light do we deploy to explore our organization’s inner workings? Do we have a culture of curiosity that is open to examining our enterprise’s status? Does a generative conversation make us stronger as a team or does it reveal fault lines that create more friction?

Right Questions

“Is this the boat?“

This summer, I watched a scenario in which tourists were instructed to board the next ferry that arrived in port. They intended to take the inter-island ferry to a city a few hours away. When a small tender arrived to take a handful of passengers to the ship anchored in the harbor, they attempted to board with their bags. The crew had to explain that the ferry was a much larger vessel that could carry hundreds of people and would travel far beyond the harbor. The tourists insisted that this was the right boat until a ferry agent guided them back to the line.

If we want the right answers, we are better served to ask the right questions.