“How might we…”
Those are the three words I find myself using over and over when I ask a question.
Frankly, I can’t remember when I learned this phrase. Of course, it’s not original to me and is commonly used by organizations seeking to innovate.
The phrase has been widely discussed and analyzed so there is an abundance of material available on the topic. In fact, “How might we” is represented by the acronym HMW in many articles and publications.
When a phrase has its own acronym, it’s clearly not a new idea. This article in the Harvard Business Review traces the roots of this question introduction back to the 1970’s at Procter & Gamble.
“How might we” has been around as long as I have. It’s been tested and proven as an effective and powerful way to start a question with teams of all sizes in a variety of organizations.
These three words work to unlock the creativity of teams.
Here are a few of my thoughts on why this three-word combination should be in every leader’s vocabulary.
Effective leaders ask questions
The fact that “How might we” starts a question is in itself powerful.
Asking questions when leading others is almost always more effective for getting results than telling others what to do or how to do it.
In his book, “The Advice Trap: Be Humble, Stay Curious, & Change the Way You Lead Forever.” Michael Bungay Stanier encourages all leaders to stay curious longer to get the most from your teams.
And, asking questions instead of giving advice is one of the best ways to stay curious.
In my blog post “How To Ask Powerful Questions – Getting Started” I share 32 questions you can use with your teams. These questions help your teammates contribute more and add value to your organization.
Any question beginning with “How might we” is a good addition to that list. Using these three words to begin a question to your team can make a tremendous difference in how they receive your question and in how they respond.
The specific three words, How, Might, and We are important. Each add their own value in the phrase.
Consider the word, “how”.
How can’t be answer with a yes or a no
The word “how” ranks near the top of the list of ways to start a powerful question. “Why” and “what” are up there too. These words require a thoughtful response because they can’t be answered with a “yes” or a “no”.
In a previous post, I introduced the guide titled “The Art of Powerful Questions: Catalyzing Insight, Innovation, and Action” written by Eric E. Vogt, Juanita Brown, and David Isaacs. It is available through The World Cafe’ and other locations online.
In this valuable resource the authors write this.
“The linguistic construction of a question can make a critical difference in either opening our minds or narrowing the possibilities we can consider.”
The word “how” opens our minds.
A meaningful reply to a question beginning with “how” must include an explanation of a process or actions. An answer might explain steps to take and who would take those steps.
And, an important assumption is built into a question beginning with “How might we”.
“How might we” suggests a solution to the problem or opportunity described in the rest of the question exists.
Just by using the word “how” to ask your team a question such as “How might we address this challenge?” or “How might we capitalize on that opportunity?” you are positively impacting their mindset.
You are bolstering their creative confidence by suggesting to them an answer does exist.
A solution is out there. Somewhere. The team just needs to work together to explore options. To discover what is possible by applying their individual and collective creativity.
Through their individual and collective work, they can apply their talent and skills and find solutions.
The word “how” sparks innovation.
And, the second word in the powerful phrase “How might we” stokes their creative fire.
Might is a mighty word
The word “might” in this context can unleash the power of creativity from your team. It sets the tone for innovative and collaborative thinking.
The “might” in “How might we” brings a positive approach and builds mental momentum for your team. It is fuel to feed the flames kindled by using the word “how”.
One definition of “might” describes power. While, this is indirectly applicable, it’s not grammatically correct.
But, the appropriate definition also captures the power in this simple word.
Optimism
This definition of the word “might” highlights its positive and encouraging energy.
Might – used to express possibility
This description of “might” is optimistic as well as encouraging.
Like the word “how”, it acknowledges the possibility that a solution exists to the problem you are trying to solve. It communicates there is potential to make progress on the challenge before you. The improvements you want to see could exist.
You and your team don’t have certainty and clarity on how things will change just yet. But, “might” suggests at some point in the future you could.
It instills hope in the future without demanding a solution right now.
In contrast, using the word “should” implies there is one right answer. The team’s mission is to find that one and only one solution to the problem not to explore and discuss a variety of ways to make progress. As a result, the creativity flames are quenched.
“Might” encourages teammates to suggest ideas that might not be good ideas. They could even be bad suggestions and need an experiment to learn more.
In fact, the word “might” invites experimentation.
By asking “How might we…” you set the expectation that a person’s response may or may not work. But, you still want to hear their idea. And, you want the entire team to hear what they are thinking.
Sharing an idea with the rest of the team when you haven’t thought through it completely can be intimidating.
As a leader you can reduce the fear factor for your teammates, by encouraging them to “rent an idea” when sharing and experimenting with initial thoughts about how to address challenges and solve problems.
Renting an idea
I learned the phrase “renting an idea” from my training at The Kansas Leadership Center. The concept is simple.
You are only “renting” an idea and not “owning” it.
And, since you haven’t made the commitment to own it, you don’t feel compelled to defend the thought you’ve shared.
The phrase provides space for you and your teammates to suggest ideas they have not yet fully thought through and analyzed.
They can “rent” an idea and share it with the team before being convinced themselves of its value.
It is understood when renting an idea is that it may or may not be a good idea. You are not emotionally attached to what you’ve shared.
You are participating with your team to play with the idea. To critique and consider it. You can take what’s good about it, if anything, and leave what is not of value.
In my experience, I’ve rented and shared plenty of ideas that I later decided through dialogue with the team were not good ideas at all.
Combining the concept of “renting an idea” with the phrase “how might we” can produce highly valuable ideas from concepts that at first seems to have no value at all.
Using these two phrases together promotes innovation and collaboration.
This leads us to the third word of this powerful phrase. The powerful pronoun, “we”.
We are better together
When one teammate offers an idea, even a bad one, it stimulates creativity. Other members of the team can ponder this initial idea and add their own thoughts. They can bounce off this idea and continue the conversation.
“We” as team members are working together to consider possibilities and solutions. We’re building on each other’s ideas and encouraging one another to consider new perspectives.
In contrast to a question like “What are you going to do to fix this?” a question beginning with “How might we” brings people together instead of isolating them.
It encourages and emboldens them by reminding them they are not alone. It reassures them they are part of a team with members who support each other and want to learn from one another.
Diverse and inclusive teams perform better
The use of the term “we” in a question beginning with “How might we” also encourages diversity in thought. It invites others into the conversation so they are heard and included.
When teams are diverse and all members provide input, they consistently outperform teams that are less diverse. This has been my experience and this article from Gartner supports this position. The article also highlights another important point.
Creating an inclusive environment is the key to leveraging diversity.
So, by regularly asking “How might we” questions, you are building a culture of inclusion to unlock the potential of each unique individual on your team.
Every person can add value when seeking to solve problems and make progress on difficult challenges. As a leader you can help each of your teammates contribute.
It’s easy to get started
I hope you’re ready to try out these three powerful words with your teams. It’s not hard at all.
The next time you’re faced with a challenge in your organization, a regular situation for most leaders, just ask your team for input using a “How might we” question.
It could be as simple as asking, “How might we improve in this area?” or “How might we solve this problem?”
And then, let them respond. Even if there is awkward silence for a bit, don’t fill it. Leave time for your team to envision possibilities that “might” exist.
Let your team realize you really are inviting them to share their input. To express their ideas, even the rented ones. Reassure them you don’t know the one right answer or expect them to know it either.
Communicate through your “How might we” questions and your interaction with them that you sincerely want to hear what they have to say.
I’m confident your team will give you many valuable ideas, ideas you wouldn’t have thought of on your own.
And, I’m also sure the responses you hear to your question of “How might we…” will encourage you to ask questions starting with these three powerful words again and again.
Let’s lead with kindness and confidence.
Greg
Discussion Questions
- How might we learn from one another and share what works best for us?
- How might we train others on our teams to use these three simple words regularly?
I would love to read your answers to my “How might we” discussion questions in the comments. Please share so we can learn together.
