Why great thinkers ask divergent questions | Natalie Nixon

About this Video

• Video Title: Why great thinkers ask divergent questions | Natalie Nixon
• Channel: Big Think
• Speakers: Natalie Nixon
• Duration: 00:04:54

Introduction

This Big Think video features Natalie Nixon discussing the importance of asking divergent questions for innovation and creativity. Nixon emphasizes that to achieve different outcomes, one must ask different questions, highlighting the need for a disciplined approach to inquiry. She contrasts divergent ("Why?", "What if?", "I wonder...") and convergent ("What?", "Where?", "When?") questions, advocating for the integration of both to foster curiosity and overcome the limitations of solely seeking definitive answers.

Key Takeaways

• Different Questions, Different Outputs: To achieve innovative results, one must move beyond seeking only definitive answers and adopt a more expansive approach to questioning.
• Divergent vs. Convergent Questions: Nixon identifies two types of questions: divergent questions ("Why?", "What if?", "I wonder...") which promote exploration and expansive thinking, and convergent questions ("What?", "Where?", "When?") which focus on specifics and tactical solutions. Integrating both is key.
• Inquiry and Curiosity: Curiosity stems from an information gap; knowing just enough to want to know more drives inquiry and innovation.
• Creativity as an Engine for Innovation: In an era of automation, human creativity—fueled by inquiry—is uniquely valuable and essential for sustainable innovation.
• Practice Makes Perfect: Becoming a "clumsy student" in any area encourages observation, the seeking of help, and the asking of questions, thus improving one's ability to ask better questions in all aspects of life.