Most people who encounter the questions of Catalytic Thinking are struck by the power we have to change our circumstances by simply changing the questions we ask. But because these questions feel different, some folks find it hard to apply them in their day-to-day lives.

So in this week’s newsletter, we wanted to share some quick questions you can begin practicing right now – and a story of someone who did just that.

Let’s start with the story.

Elaine Capes is a county councilor in her rural Ontario community. The following is an exchange she had with the County Administrator.

ELAINE: I am wondering if we might reframe the question we are addressing. The session opened by asking, “What is the problem?” I think a more constructive question would be about “What would it take to bring the most efficient and effective services to the taxpayers of our county?” 

COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR: The issue at hand is certainly a wicked problem, and your reframing of the question helps to create a better perspective. Given that our recent strategic plan proposes lofty goals that could make our county a better place, my reframing would be, “What would it take to provide programs and services that foster a thriving, equitable, and resilient community in an ever-changing world (mission) for a community that grows together (vision)?”

THE RESULT: The council passed a resolution based on that new framing.

This wasn’t a designated planning session or some other setting where Elaine had planned in advance the questions she would ask. Elaine wasn’t serving as a facilitator or consultant guiding the conversation. This was just a normal meeting, the equivalent of any staff meeting or board meeting. In the course of conversation, Elaine simply noticed that her team – in this case the county council – could be asking more effective questions. And she made a simple suggestion.

In any setting you find yourself in, you, too, can notice the questions that are being asked. And you can practice interjecting a question with a different spin.

• If you notice conversations heading into the weeds, you can try asking, “This thing we are discussing – what do we hope it will make possible for the people we serve?”
• If you feel like questions are circling around people’s problems and needs, you can try asking, “What do you think our community members want life to be like for them?”
• When you feel scarcity creeping into the room (perhaps wearing ghoul-like makeup and a long, dark robe), you can try asking, “What do we already have to build upon? Are there folks in our community who already have what we need, who we can partner with?”

The power of Catalytic Thinking is that you don’t need to be in a position of authority to shift a conversation. You don’t have to be “the leader” to create room for more possibility, more inclusion, more connection. This is what it means to Lead from the Middle.

So try it this week. It might be with your kids or your partner. It might be with your coworkers. It might be with your board.

And if it’s helpful, go back through the archives of this newsletter to find a question that resonates with you. Post that question in bright colors on your bulletin board. And when the opportunity arises, practice asking that different question.

And as always, let us know what happens!

Photo by Photo by RF._.studio: