Today we’ll wrap up this series on collaborative problem solving, and explore how the right questions can help move everyone’s thinking forward.

Asking good questions may seem pretty basic, but it’s not always as easy as it sounds. To be able to ask the types of questions that lead to fresh insights, you need to be willing to lean into your discomfort with ambiguity and uncertainty.

1. Get Comfortable With Not Knowing

Needing to always look smart and know the right answer can keep you from asking the types of questions that lead to truly breakthrough solutions.

When you allow yourself to ask better questions instead of grasping for the best answer, you create an opening for new insights to emerge.

That means being willing to set your ego aside, acknowledge to yourself and others that you don’t yet know exactly what to do, and stay open to discovering the right solution together.

2. Shift From Telling to Asking

Once you can get comfortable with not knowing all the answers, it’s easier to tap into your natural curiosity and shift from telling to asking.

Not asking leading questions like, “Have you thought of doing XYZ?” These are just answers in disguise. A way to appear like you’re looking for other points of view, but really just pushing your own.

Instead of trying to lead people to your preferred solution, ask the types of thoughtful questions that create space for fresh insights, invite others to share their own perspectives, and open the door to unexpected ways of approaching the problem.

3. Look For Moments of Creative Tension

Sometimes the best ideas come in the moments when everyone feels a bit confused, unsettled, frustrated, annoyed, and impatient.

These moments of creative tension are often when the real work happens. When you can suddenly see past the blind spots that have been standing in the way, and are finally willing to view the problem from a fresh perspective.

When you take the time to explore a challenge from different angles, you can guide others through these moments of creative tension and help them hold that space long enough for this shift in thinking to happen.

What will you do today to start asking the types of questions that can help move everyone’s thinking forward?

Will you let go of the need to “know” so you can focus on discovering the best solution?