Originally posted on Choose Which Door
By Scott Conard MD and Brian Uhlig
Asking the right questions is a fundamental skill that drives success in healthcare and organizational improvement. Thought leaders across various fields emphasize that well-formed questions help in understanding value, identifying issues, fostering collaboration, driving change, and measuring success. Here’s why asking good questions matters and how it impacts different aspects of healthcare and organizational progress.
Understanding Value and Needs
A core function of asking questions is to determine what constitutes value from different perspectives, particularly the patient’s. Stacey Richter highlights that value is in the eye of the beholder, and true value emerges when we deeply understand others’ challenges, pains, and needs. Dr. Komal Bajaj underscores the necessity of questioning and listening to discern employees’ purpose and align them with organizational goals. Similarly, Dr. Beau Raymond advises that the first step in improving care is defining the destination—asking where are we trying to go? provides direction.
Gathering Critical Information and Identifying Problems
Asking the right questions is essential for collecting crucial data and pinpointing underlying problems. Dr. Beau Raymond notes that even if certain questions feel uncomfortable, they must be asked to gain meaningful insights—for instance, inquiring about gender identity to better tailor healthcare solutions. Karen Root also stresses that analyzing the root cause of customer-initiated calls can expose systemic issues and lead to more effective solutions.
Driving Change and Innovation
Innovation often starts with curiosity. Asking questions challenges the status quo and fuels progress. Dr. Komal Bajaj shares an example where healthcare workers’ enthusiasm for “planet-friendly care” was uncovered simply by asking and listening. Marty Makary argues that when patients become health literate and ask informed questions, it shifts the market towards more ethical and evidence-based care. Stacey Richter reinforces the importance of asking “why” questions to build a compelling case for transformation.
Fostering Collaboration and Alignment
Good questions enable communication and collaboration among diverse stakeholders. Stacey Richter points out that ensuring the right voices are included in discussions about value is crucial for making informed decisions. Jodilyn Owen highlights the importance of asking questions in the presence of peers, as it promotes shared learning, strengthens trust, and ultimately enhances patient care. Meanwhile, Brian Uhlig suggests that targeted questions during the discovery phase help assess a client’s readiness for optimization and improvement.
Improving Communication and Understanding
Effective communication depends on asking clarifying questions to ensure alignment. Scott Conard emphasizes the importance of identifying what others don’t understand and framing messages accordingly. This is particularly vital when communicating across different expertise levels or organizational hierarchies. Asking simple but strategic questions bridges knowledge gaps and enhances comprehension.
Measuring Progress and Success
Well-crafted questions help define objectives and track progress. Ashleigh Gunter advocates for soliciting feedback by asking what worked well and what could be improved. Regularly measuring and sharing successes reinforces positive change. Kate Wolin further asserts that you can’t optimize a process if you haven’t first defined the goal—a process that begins with asking the right questions.
Conclusion
Ultimately, asking good questions is not just about finding answers; it is a powerful tool for understanding value, diagnosing problems, driving innovation, enhancing collaboration, improving communication, and measuring success. Whether in healthcare or broader organizational contexts, mastering the art of inquiry leads to better decision-making and improved outcomes. By fostering a culture that encourages thoughtful questioning, we pave the way for meaningful progress and lasting impact.
Written by Rob Thwaites in consultation with the Converging Health Consulting Team