Customer Reviews

Making Questions Work: A Guide to How and What to Ask for Facilitators, Consultants, Managers, Coaches, and Educators

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As a facilitator and strategy consultant, I'm constantly refining and improving my approach to group decision-making, action planning, and facilitating difficult situations. After a few months of use, I'm certain that this book will remain on the top of my reference list for a long time to come.

Strachan opens with a couple of well-written chapters on questioning techniques and facilitation principles. Much of this has been covered elsewhere, but Strachan's synopsis is an excellent reminder while also being easily accessible and well-organized. The book then delves into how to use different types of questions for specific outcomes, with a wealth of real-world examples that would work in any corporate environment. From "follow-up" and "opening a session" to "addressing issues" and "thinking critically," each chapter breaks down the why's and how's of question design before listing samples, tips, real situations that have direct applicability in any number of settings.

Because every facilitation is different, having a deep arsenal of questions keeps the discussion productive while enabling the facilitator to be responsive, agile, and most of all, effective. Strachan's book does all this capably and comprehensively, without filler or fluff. Highly recommended for anyone interested in improving group dynamics on teams, in meetings, or in formal workshops.