Technology Executives CEO Group

Thursday, January 9, 2025

Discussion Topic:

Asking Smarter Questions – Key Success Factors?

As the CEO of the U.S. chipmaker NVIDIA, Jensen Huang operates in an ultra-high-tech industry requiring agile, innovative thinking. He told the New York Times how his leadership style evolved: “I probably give fewer answers, and I ask a lot more questions… It’s almost possible now for me to go through a day and do nothing but ask questions… Through probing, I help [my management team]…explore ideas that they didn’t realize needed to be explored.”

Leaders have embraced the importance of listening, curiosity, learning, and humility – qualities critical to skillful interrogation. “Question-storming” – brainstorming for questions rather than answers – is now a creativity technique. But unlike lawyers, doctors, and psychologists, business leaders aren’t formally trained on what kinds of questions to ask. They must learn as they go.

“Our research reveals that strategic questions can be grouped into five domains: investigative, speculative, productive, interpretive, and subjective. Each unlocks a different aspect of the decision-making process. Together they can help you tackle key issues that are all too easy to miss.”

The above is from the article “The Art of Asking Smarter Questions” in the May-June 2024 issue of Harvard Business Review.

In a brief presentation, we’ll further explore questions in the five domains mentioned above, plus a few more concepts from the article, and some other approaches to asking smarter questions. Then members will share and discuss:

If Jensen Huang at NVIDIA is mostly asking questions (“It’s almost possible now for me to go through a day and do nothing but ask questions”) around 90% of the time, versus sharing information during his average workday:

• What percent of your workday do you now think you should be asking questions?
• What percent of your time are you actually spending asking questions?
• If there’s a gap, how do you believe you might best close it?
• What are your current 3-4 Key Success Factors for ensuring you’re asking smarter questions (more effectively thought-through, framed, and asked) in each of these situations:
  > To shape your strategy and tactics?
  > To get the person you’re interacting with to better shape their strategies and tactics?
  > Other key situations for you?

As always, we’ll look to hear and discuss, “What’s Keeping You Up Nights?” and we’ll also serve as Strategic Advisory Board Members to 2-3 of our participants, as we do a deeper dive into their more pressing issues.

UPCOMING MEETING DATES

2025: JAN 9    FEB 6    MAR 6    APR 3    MAY 1   JUN 5    JUL 10*    AUG 7    SEP 4    OCT 2    NOV 6    DEC 4

This Table typically meets on the 1st Thursday of each month.

*July session moved to July 10 due to 4th of July holiday.

Monthly meetings are held via Zoom with occasional In-Person sessions.

Past Discussion Topics