Learning to ask strategic questions is essential for leaders to navigate uncertainty and make informed decisions in fast-changing environments. By asking the right questions, leaders can uncover key insights, challenge assumptions, and develop more effective strategies. In this Harvard Business Review article, IMD Professor of Strategy Arnaud Chevallier and his colleagues suggest five types of questions that can enhance strategic decision-making.

1. Investigative (What’s Known?): Clarify your purpose and what you need to learn to achieve your goal.
2. Speculative (What If?): Broaden the perspective, reframe the problem, and explore creative solutions.
3. Productive (Now What?): Assess available resources, such as talent and time, to determine the best course of action.
4. Interpretive (So, What?): Dig deeper to redefine the core issue and understand the implications of ideas.
5. Subjective (What’s Unsaid?): Address personal tensions or hidden agendas that could affect decision-making.