Questions are Greater Than Answers

Inspired by @thechrisdo’s book Pocket Full of Do.

What's more important questions or answers?

How many times have you jumped to a solution without fully diagnosing the problem?

I know I have... a lot.

As creative people, we always want to jump in head first, without finding out the 'why'.

Why are we doing this or that - is it really what the client or buyer wants, is it going to move the needle.

Thanks to a chapter in Chris' book, we now know how to look before we jump, and the solution is simple...

Ask more powerful questions!

By asking more questions, we build a better picture of the problem, reduce the risk of poor decision-making (on both sides) and streamline the options for correct solution.

It's really that simple - diagnose before you prescribe!
(Shout out to @winwithoutpitching, for that golden nugget)

This simple mindset shift completely changed my approach to design, and it's saved me a tonne of creative heartache: endless revisions, bad solutions, unhappy clients and all the other stress that comes from chasing down the wrong solution.

What's a powerful question, I hear you cry...

Here are some awesome ones from Master Do himself:
What happens if we don't make a decision?
What's the motivation behind this request?
How might this fail?
Who else maybe impacted?
How do you suggest we do this?

Do you have any powerful questions?
Let me know in the comments below.