What happens when we make space for better (more magical) questions?

Questions shape the quality of our conversations, decisions, and relationships. The right ones don’t just extract information—they spark curiosity, unearth valuable perspectives, and lay the groundwork for meaningful progress.

Neuroscience backs this up: when we’re asked thoughtful questions, our brains light up in ways that boost curiosity, memory, imagination, and collaboration. In other words, good questions don’t just change what we think about—they change how we think together.

I saw this in action recently while facilitating the inaugural RICH-Canada (Research in Community Hospitals) national meeting. This gathering brought together 50 leading health researchers, funders and hospital administrators from across the country to co-create a national framework for tracking research activity in community hospitals. They’re laying the groundwork for more equitable access to health innovation—and ultimately, better outcomes for patients across the country.

The attendees were all very brilliant, very busy humans who have lots of ideas. 

We could’ve dove straight into into idea sharing, but we didn’t. Instead, we spent the first couple of hours making sure we were asking the right questions to frame brainstorming that came next.

By aligning around thoughtful questions (which were developed and agreed upon by everyone in the room), the second half of the retreat unfolded with sharper focus, deeper collaboration, and more innovative ideas. It was a reminder that good answers depend on great questions.

🪄 I follow an expert facilitator and artful gatherer named Priya Parker, who recently went viral with her effort to crowdsource “Magical Questions”. In case you haven’t heard, a Magical Question is something that everyone in the group is interested in answering and hearing the answers to. This article by NPR sums this concept up well (and includes a list that you can try out for yourself).

Magical Questions are my new favourite party trick. Tested and proven to spark interesting conversations at group dinners, inspire deeper dialogue during date nights, and break the ice at work team meetings.

Let me know if you try one that works particularly well…

Rachel
The Connection Lab 🧠♥️