Exploring the Power of "Craft Questions" - by Rob Walker

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Recently, the insights shared by author and speaker Dan Heath sparked my interest. His latest podcast revolves around a unique curiosity-driven theme. Titled What It’s Like To Be..., Heath converses with various professionals: a criminal defense attorney, a forensic accountant, a meteorologist on TV, among others. However, his focus is on a specific realm: while we might be aware of what these individuals do for a living, the intricacies of their daily tasks often remain unknown. It is these nitty-gritty details that pique his curiosity.

Heath has described this initiative as an exercise in ‘slow curiosity’ — engaging in in-depth conversations about the mechanics of diverse jobs, without aiming for a particular outcome. He noted, “Curiosity can serve a purpose, but can it not also be its own reward?”

My response to this question would be an unequivocal yes! Heath’s endeavor represents an act of curiosity: upon encountering a thought-provoking instance, he actively seeks to explore it further. The podcast itself resembles a deconstructed exploration of various careers, dissecting one profession at a time.

In line with this spirit of active curiosity, I reached out to Heath, asking if he could propose a prompt or challenge to engage our readers, inspired by his podcast journey. He generously suggested an excellent idea — the concept of “craft questions.” Here’s what Heath shared:

In the podcast, I greatly enjoy delving into questions regarding methods, tools, and techniques. For instance, when I spoke to a stadium vendor about his essentials, he reminisced fondly about a particular can opener he used in the past, which allowed him to pour beer quickly and without creating foam. A stylist once told me about his treasured Japanese scissors, which perfectly balanced in his hands. It’s delightful to gain insights into the craftsmanship present in people’s roles.

Thus, my challenge to you is this: Ask someone a craft question. Take an interest in how they execute their work. Questions like, “How do you achieve those elegant swirls in the latte foam?” (to a barista) or “What approaches do you take when someone is anxious about having their blood drawn?” (to a nurse) can energize your conversations in unexpected ways.

This challenge excels on two fronts. Not only do ‘craft questions’ unveil fascinating details, but as Heath indicates, they also mirror genuine engagement, something that the person you question will surely appreciate.

Pose a craft question, listen to the response, and follow up with more questions.

A heartfelt thank you to Dan Heath! Discover more about What It’s Like To Be... here or wherever you get your podcasts. Also, don’t miss out on Dan's books here.

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