# The power of questions. Why the art of asking is our strongest tool | Nathalie Starke | TEDxGraz

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5IuHrH8Q38
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/x5IuHrH8Q38
Generated: 2025-12-16T17:42:21.955+00:00

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## Quick Overview

The art of asking questions, particularly solution-oriented and circular questions, is presented as a powerful tool for leadership and personal growth, shifting focus from problems to potential solutions and new perspectives, as demonstrated by the speaker's mother's advice versus the speaker's own professional approach.

**Key Points:**
- The speaker recounts a personal dilemma ten years ago regarding choosing between studying Communication or Psychology, which caused her significant distress.
- Her mother's direct advice ("Just do what any half-British person would do...") was unhelpful, leading the speaker to cry because she needed help making the decision herself.
- The speaker contrasts problem-focused questions (e.g., "My project isn't going well") with solution-oriented questions (e.g., "What worked well last time that you'd repeat this time?").
- Research from Harvard Business School found that people who ask more questions, especially follow-up questions, are perceived as more insightful and better leaders.
- Circular questions, like asking an employee how their best friend would describe their work, encourage looking at situations from different perspectives.
- Solution-oriented questions help shift focus from past failures (e.g., fear of repeating mistakes) to future possibilities and actionable steps.
- The speaker advocates for asking questions that foster new ways of thinking, ultimately leading to finding answers already present within the individual.

![Screenshot at 00:05: 33:The speaker introduces the concept of solution-oriented questions by contrasting a problem-focused statement \("My project isn't going very well."\) with a solution-oriented alternative \("Imagine your project were working perfectly - what would be different?"\).](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/x5IuHrH8Q38/00-00-05.png)

**Context:** Nathalie Starke delivers a TEDxGraz talk titled 'The power of questions. Why the art of asking is our strongest tool,' sharing personal anecdotes about grappling with major life decisions and professional challenges to illustrate the transformative impact of the types of questions we ask ourselves and others. The core context revolves around moving away from problem-focused rumination toward solution-oriented and circular questioning techniques, which she argues are essential for effective leadership and personal development.

## Detailed Analysis

Nathalie Starke begins her talk by sharing a story from ten years prior when she was struggling to choose between majoring in Communication or Psychology, a decision she felt would impact her entire future. Her mother offered seemingly simple advice, but this direct answer did not help the speaker, highlighting the inadequacy of simple answers when deep personal decisions are involved. Starke then contrasts two types of questions: problem-focused and solution-oriented. A problem-focused question, like "My project isn't going very well," leads to a focus on the negative. In contrast, a solution-oriented question, such as "What worked well last time that you'd repeat this time?" or "What did you learn from your last project that you want to implement this time?", shifts the focus toward positive possibilities and actionable knowledge. She cites research from Harvard Business School indicating that people who ask more questions, especially follow-up questions, are perceived as more insightful leaders. She also introduces circular questions, exemplified by asking an employee how their best friend would describe their work, which forces a perspective shift. Starke concludes that the art of asking the right question—one that opens up new perspectives rather than seeking a single answer—is the strongest tool for leadership and personal growth, as the answers are often already inside the person asking.

### Personal Dilemma

- Receiving a letter requiring a decision between Communication or Psychology major
- Crying because the direct advice from her mother was not helpful
- Realizing the importance of how questions are framed

### Problem-Focused vs. Solution-Oriented Questions

- Problem-focused example: "My project isn't going very well."
- Solution-Oriented example: "What worked well last time that you'd repeat this time?"
- Solution-oriented questions open the horizon to possibility instead of fear

### Leadership and Inquiry

- Harvard Business School found that people who ask more questions (especially follow-up questions) are perceived as better leaders
- Circular Questions help gain different perspectives (e.g., "What would your best friend tell you if they heard you criticize yourself?")
- The goal is to create a space where true leadership and questioning can thrive

![Screenshot at 00:05: 18:The speaker contrasts a problem-focused statement \("My project isn't going very well."\) with a solution-oriented question intended to shift perspective.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/x5IuHrH8Q38/00-00-05.png)
![Screenshot at 00:08: 57:The slide displays the contrast between a problem-focused question and a circular question applied to a manager/employee scenario.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/x5IuHrH8Q38/00-00-08.png)
![Screenshot at 00:10: 55:The slide introduces the concept of a Solution-Orientated Question as an alternative to problem-focused statements.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/x5IuHrH8Q38/00-00-10.png)
![Screenshot at 00:12: 56:The slide labels the second technique as a 'Circular Question' and provides an example question to shift perspective.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/x5IuHrH8Q38/00-00-12.png)
![Screenshot at 00:15: 08:The final slide asks the audience, "WHAT WILL YOUR NEXT QUESTION BE?" summarizing the talk's call to action.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/x5IuHrH8Q38/00-00-15.png)