Investigate
Investigate allows you to learn about a phenomenon that occurs in someone else. Use it when an idea or behavior someone is presenting seems poor, confusing, or simply interesting.
Steps
- Act as if you were a detached but fascinated inquirer, asking questions until your curiosity is satisfied or you no longer want to ask questions.
Commitments
- Ask well-formed questions.
- Ask only questions that will increase your understanding.
- Ask questions only if the subject is engaged and appears ready to answer more.
- Refrain from offering opinions.
- Do not ask leading questions where you think you know how he or she will answer.
- If you cannot remain a detached, curious investigator with no agenda, stop using the protocol until you can come back to it and keep these commitments.
Notes
- Do not theorize about the subject or provide any sort of diagnosis.
- Consider using the following forms for your questions:
- What about X makes you Y Z?
- Would you explain a specific example?
- How does X go when it happens?
- What is the one thing you want most from solving X?
- What is the biggest problem you see regarding X now?
- What is the most important thing you could do right now to help you with X?
- Ineffective queries include the following:
- Questions that lead or reflect an agenda.
- Questions that attempt to hide an answer you believe is true.
- Questions that invite stories.
- Questions that begin with “Why.”
- Stick to your intention of gathering more information.
- If you feel that you will explode if you can’t say what’s on your mind, you shouldn’t speak at all. Consider checking your intention or Check Out.