How Can You Measure an Apple?

We recently hosted one of our regular Brown Bag discussions on the topic of creativity. It touched on many elements of an ATG workshop that we call Asking Better Questions.

What does it mean to ask better questions? Why is it important to be curious about unfamiliar disciplines? What does creativity have to do with doing excellent research?

We threw the attendees right into one of our favorite exercises: name 15 things you can measure about an apple. If you can, try it right now, before you watch the video below. How many things can you find to measure? Give it three minutes. Try for 15. Try for more than that if you can. Then watch this video.

In order to ask better questions, we have to learn to be curious. One of the best ways to do that is by listening deeply to people who have very different experiences to yours. Most researchers are able to understand that different disciplines exist, but may believe they don’t have time to get curious about them, when in fact taking time for curiosity leads to much better understanding through listening.

In conclusion, at ATG we want to help you deepen your effectiveness and success in your work. We strongly believe that holding a laser focus on reaching your goals is most effective when you combine it with curiosity, open ended questions, and fun-with-a-purpose. We don’t know what we don’t know – unless we ask.