Jeff Wetzler: The ASK Approach to Better Questions

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May 21, 2025

Jeff Wetzler, author of *Ask* and an educational innovator, unpacks the transformative power of questioning. He explains how most people ask ineffective questions that stifle growth. Wetzler introduces his five-step ASK approach to improve inquiry and decision-making. He discusses the value of diverse perspectives and the importance of psychological safety in conversations. Practical techniques like the ‘doorknob moment’ and active listening are highlighted, demonstrating how asking better questions can lead to meaningful personal and professional change.

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INSIGHT

Only Asking Reveals Truth

People are poor at reading body language and putting themselves in others' shoes does not reliably reveal what others think or feel.
The only reliable way to know others' thoughts and feelings is to directly ask them.

ADVICE

Choose Curiosity to Ask Better

Most people assume they know how to ask questions but lack true curiosity and fail to slow down to reconsider initial judgments.
To ask better questions, intentionally cultivate curiosity and resist rushing to conclusions.

ADVICE

Slow Down and Spark Curiosity

Slow down your thinking to recognize when your brain is constructing a limiting story.
Inject curiosity by asking, "What else might be going on here?" to open up possibilities.

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Could your questions be holding you back? Drawing from decades of experience as an educational innovator and organizational leader, Jeff Wetzler, author of Ask, reveals why most of us ask poor questions and how mastering the art of inquiry can dramatically improve our decision-making, relationships, and leadership. He shares his proven five-step ASK approach—Choose Curiosity, Make it Safe, Pose Quality Questions, Listen to Learn, and Reflect and Reconnect—offering practical techniques anyone can use to uncover hidden insights and drive meaningful change. From challenging our ingrained assumptions to creating psychological safety that invites honesty, Jeff demonstrates how asking better questions can lead to breakthrough thinking in both personal and professional contexts.

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