Wicked Questions
Wicked Questions is a structured technique that helps groups surface the paradoxical challenges sitting at the heart of their strategy, culture, or way of working. Participants craft questions that hold two seemingly contradictory truths in tension, using the format "How is it that we [do X] and [do Y] simultaneously?"
✓ Created by former KPMG & McKinsey consultants
What You'll Achieve with the Wicked Questions Workshop
Real outcomes that transform your team
Participants gain clarity on complex challenges they face.
Fosters an environment for honest, open conversations.
Equips teams with a shared language for discussing tensions.
When to Use the Wicked Questions Workshop
Perfect for these situations and team challenges
When a team is grappling with conflicting priorities after a merger.
At the beginning of strategy discussions to identify underlying tensions.
How the Wicked Questions Workshop Works
A step-by-step breakdown of the workshop process
1Setup
Prepare the environment by introducing the Wicked Questions formula and relevant examples to guide participants in understanding the concept.
2Step 1: Introduce the Concept
Explain the nature of Wicked Questions, emphasizing the paradoxical truths that need to be managed rather than solved, and introduce the specific topic of focus.
3Step 2: Generate Questions in Small Groups
Participants form small groups to collaboratively craft Wicked Questions using the formula, encouraging them to engage deeply with the tensions present in their work.
4Step 3: Share and Sharpen
Groups post their questions for collective viewing, allowing participants to read, discuss, and refine the questions together, enhancing clarity and depth.
Key Topics Covered in the Wicked Questions Workshop
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