3 Ideas in 2 Minutes on Asking Provocative Questions
Provocative Rider, Alexander's Question & Questioning Yourself
I. Provocative Rider
The Provocative Rider is a questioning technique designed to annoy or intimidate. It consists of an innocent question followed by a provocative statement or question. As in:
How did you get home last night? Probably in handcuffs in the back of a police car.
Who writes your newsletters? A 3-year-old who’s had too much sugar?
Getting a proper answer to the provocation is not the point, though. Rather the purpose is to gain control over a conversation. By throwing the interviewee off balance and observing their reaction.
Source: changingminds.org
II. Alexander’s Question
What evidence would it take to change your mind?
Alexander’s Question is a great way to provoke a reassessment of opinions, decisions and assumptions. It prompts a change in perspective as we’re being pulled out of our habit to confirm our preconceived notions.
Now your mind is sent on a quest to find reasons and evidence that contradicts your original understanding of an issue. If it’s asked at the right moment and fully embraced, Alexander’s Question can be pretty humbling.
III. Questioning Yourself
Rather than questioning others, it may be necessary to question ourselves from time to time. British mathematician and philosopher Bertrand Russell agrees:
In all affairs it's a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted.
—Bertrand Russell
Check out my article How to Ask Good Questions for more insights into the power of questions. 🐘
Have a great week,
Chris
themindcollection.com