No matter your title or role, critical thinking [the ability to effectively break down and analyze an issue in order to find a solution] will be core to your success. And at the heart of critical thinking is the ability to formulate effective questions. Here are a few ways to boost your ability to do this ::
1. Hold your hypotheses loosely. Good questions can lead you to fundamentally reconsider your initial assumptions — but you have to be willing to do so without defensiveness.
2. Listen more than you talk. Active listening allows you to fully grasp another point of view, making it easier to question your own assumptions and biases.
3. Leave your queries open-ended. Avoid asking yes-or-no questions. Instead, try to get the respondent to open up at length.
4. Consider the counterintuitive. Every group needs someone who’s unafraid to challenge the status quo, in case you do need to change course.
5. Sleep on it. A good night’s rest can actually help your brain see a problem more clearly.
Harvard Business Review
