What XX do you have? (substitute XX for ideas, options, solutions)

And what else? (ask this till they can’t think of anymore, but give it a good 30-60 seconds of silence before confirming they have no more)

This is a great technique I learned from MBS and his coaching work. And while it works well for helping someone find solutions and a way forward. It works equally well in helping someone figure out the problem they are trying to solve. Using this alongside the 5 whys can enable you to cut through waffle quickly.

Good questions can unlock problems and solutions. Focusing on the right problem is worth the time it takes to figure it out.

Photo by Jon Tyson