Investigate

The Investigate protocol allows you to learn about a phenomenon that occurs in someone else. Use it when an idea or behavior someone is presenting seems poor, confusing, or simply interesting.

Steps

1. Act as if you were a detached but fascinated inquirer, asking questions until your curiosity is satisfied or you no longer want to ask questions.
   

Commitments

• Ask well-formed questions.
  
• Ask only questions that will increase your understanding.
  
• Ask questions only if the subject is engaged and appears ready to answer more.
  
• Refrain from offering opinions.
  
• Do not ask leading questions where you think you know how he or she will answer.
  
• If you cannot remain a detached, curious investigator with no agenda, stop using the protocol until you can come back to it and keep these commitments.
  

Notes

• Do not theorize about the subject or provide any sort of diagnosis.
  
• Consider using the following forms for your questions:
  
  • What about X makes you Y, Z?
    
  • Would you explain a specific example?
    
  • How does X go when it happens?
    
  • What is the one thing you want most from solving X?
    
  • What is the biggest problem you see regarding X now?
    
  • What is the most important thing you could do right now to help you with X?
    
• Ineffective queries include questions that:
  
  • lead or reflect an agenda,
    
  • attempt to hide an answer you believe is true,
    
  • invite stories, or
    
  • begin with “why”.
    
• Stick to your intention of gathering more information.
  
• If you feel that you will explode if you can’t say what’s on your mind, you shouldn’t speak at all. Consider checking your intention or checking out.