Revealing questions to find common ground

If we start from understanding, and move together towards a common purpose, we’ll soon find common ground.

Mostly what I am seeking, in a good conversation, is understanding. Both understanding the other, and to be understood myself. Only with mutual understanding can we ever find common purpose.

I believe common purpose comes before common ground. For example, being able to say “I think it would be better if we all went over in that direction” is something we might agree upon. After all, that could be as simple as two of us walking parallel paths in some general direction.

Common ground is more difficult to find or to create. But, if we start from understanding, and move together towards a common purpose, we’ll soon find common ground.

[T]he art of revealing a question doesn’t inherently engage such an expectation. It merely creates common knowledge that the question is present for you. This may result in an answer immediately, or an answer at some later point, or it may have much more subtle effects. […] When it works well, revealing a question essentially functions such that you and others are now holding the question together.

~ Malcolm Ocean from, https://www.ribbonfarm.com/2017/08/10/questions-are-not-just-for-asking/

As often happens, my thinking goes to my intentions. My intention is to increase my understanding, to grow, and to learn, and I can set myself up for that to happen more often than not. Intention, sharing, listening, understanding… this is a creative art.

Can you reveal a question, without asking it, in your next conversation?

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