ABSTRACT
Inquiry serves many purposes for learning to think strategically. Inquiry supports a critical dialogue, forces us to think deeper and more broadly, and enables us to clarify, to understand, and to seek answers. Also, questions provide a springboard for divergent thinking and for generating new ideas, and insights for strategic decisions. According to the research of William Isaacs:
The central purpose [of dialogue] is to establish a fi eld of genuine meeting and inquiry-a setting in which people can allow a free fl ow of meaning and vigorous exploration of the collective background of their thought, their personal predispositions, the nature of their shared attention, and the rigid features of their individual and collective assumptions. 7
Within a strategic-thinking context, questions are an effective means of gathering information. Asking and responding to questions helps us to analyze a situation and to broaden our perspective. Additionally, inquiry strengthens strategic thinking by helping us to identify and challenge assumptions. A Japanese fi nancial executive forthrightly commented:
(smiling) You know very well, that I like to ask many questions! (laughter) So, I have always tried to do my best, and for me that is to try
many new things and watch other people and ask questions, many questions. Then I read and talk to people-especially people who are different from me, and then I ask new questions! (laughter)
Interestingly, it is nearly impossible for any one person to dominate within a
good dialogue, when everyone is expected to focus on questioning.
