“Curiosity killed the cat.” You know the line.
But then there’s the comeback: “…but satisfaction brought it back.”
We like that bit better. Curiosity can be questioning in the hunt for a better way to do something.
A lot of creative thinking begins with a question:
- Why does it have to work like this?
- What if we turned it around?
- How might we try something different?
The answers help us finish things. Questions open what else is possible.
This week, don’t rush to solve your challenge. Question it first.
CREATIVE WORKOUT:
Question your way forward
Give yourself 10 minutes.
Step 1: Pick a live challenge
Choose something you’re working on: a campaign, message, process, workshop or problem that feels stuck.
Write down the question you’re trying to answer.
For example: How do we get more people to read our weekly update?
Step 2: Ask WHY
Question what feels fixed:
- Why are we doing it this way?
- What are we assuming about people?
- What might we be treating as a fact?
Write down the biggest assumption you find.
For example: Everyone needs to read the whole update.
Step 3: Ask WHAT IF
Use that assumption to write at least five What if…? questions.
Don’t answer them yet. Keep opening doors.
Create your own questions, but here are some examples to help get started:
What if people didn’t have to read it (could they watch or listen)?
What if it only took 30 seconds?
What if people only received the part that mattered to them?
Make them bold, playful or even ridiculous. You’re not looking for answers yet. You’re exploring the challenge.
Step 4: Ask HOW
Circle the question with the most energy or possibility and turn it into a How might we…? question.
For example: What if people didn’t have to read it?
Becomes: How might we help people absorb the update without having to read an email?
Write down three ways you could explore it.
A 60-second audio roundup.
One important update in a shared space.
A single talking point for team conversations.
Pick one to test. You don’t need to solve everything. You need a better question and a new direction.
Turns out curiosity doesn’t kill ideas. Unquestioned assumptions do.
THE CREATIVE COOL DOWN:
Keep the questions coming
Warren Berger’s The Book of Beautiful Questions is packed with questions to help us create, decide, connect and lead.
EXPLORE:
Our blog, The Hidden Secret Behind Great Ideas: Ask Better Questions, explores how better questions and genuine listening uncover stronger stories and ideas.
