Fire-Starters– Ask Well Crafted Questions!

There are different theories, considerations and approaches to how to light a fire; how much kindling, how to pile the wood, when to add certain sized wood, how many matches to use... the many factors all depend on the purpose of the fire. Is it a low burning campfire, a rip roaring bonfire, or a 100 year old birthday cake?

The purpose of the fire, determines the crafting.

The same could be said when crafting questions. Questions are a key component in working together inivitatives.

When crafting questions there are many things to consider including emotion, tone, expected outcome, participants, how open/closed they need to be, the number of questions and what type of questions are really needed.


Let's simplify that by taking a look at the three village raising steps from last weeks blog and consider them through questions.


1. Gathering Questions (exploring awareness)
What are we talking about?
What meaning does that hold for us? What does it mean for our work?
What are we learning? From whom do we want/need to hear?

2. Sorting/Decision Making Questions: (exploring priorities and choices)
Why does this matter?
What’s most important?
What do we value? How will this impact our outcome?

3. Getting to Action Questions: (exploring ideas, goals and strengths)
What are we going to do about it?
What might happen if we...? What’s possible?
What are the next steps?

Be intentional with inquires, in order to inspire the kind of thought you aim to.
Flame on Village Fire-starters!

Village Raising Question: What's one of your favourite Gathering, Decision Making or Action question?