Deconstructing with Della: How might we?
July 31, 2017
We study questions. Asking the right question when engaging people is critical to finding out what they really think.
Years ago, I came across an article in the Harvard Business Review explaining the virtues of asking "how might we?" (HMW) rather than the typical "how should we?", or "how could we?" which can be limiting and positional. The HMW opens up discussions to possibilities.
We use this question type in strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, presentation training and it works like a hot damn.
An article popped up recently in one of my news feeds touting the benefits of the HMW with the headline "Google and Facebook still use the 3 word question that saved a $225 billion dollar company in the 70's". Obviously I was intrigued and a bit of a sucker for click bait so checked it out and voila... there was the HMW question explained again. This time with a story about Procter and Gamble looking for a way to compete with the green striped Irish Spring soap. They figured it out and that is why there is a blue striped, fresh smelling Coast soap today.
As I read the article, I thought how great it would be if this question became a part of everyday life. Families could resolve disputes by saying HMW come to an agreement versus getting stuck in various camps. Employee groups could find solutions to internal communications struggles with HMW questions around better processes. People in disagreement could ask HMW find some common ground or move on. Political leaders could ask HMW serve the community needs better.
To deconstruct, framing a HMW question around possibilities versus creating barriers with restrictive questions can open minds to think beyond the norm and maybe, just maybe, inspire good solutions.
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