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Post
Created date
Jun 9, 2025 04:49 AM
category
Meta-Learning
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Published
Language
English
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summary
slug
questioning-framework
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Author
Jason Ching Yuen Siu
Priority
Featured
Featured
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Youtube
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Recently, I stumbled upon YouTube discussion on the ongoing chip competition between China and the U.S.
At first glance, it seemed like just another tech panel.
But as I listened in, I noticed something different.
The topic wasn’t new — semiconductors, Huawei, U.S. sanctions — we’ve all heard those headlines.
But the conversation felt engaging and deep.
I wasn’t just listening to opinions. I was learning.
Every question the host asked felt:
- Purposeful — not random or shallow
- Grounded — linked to facts, trends, or stakes
- Smooth — flowing naturally without awkward transitions
- Inviting — encouraging the guests to speak their mind, not defend their position
And that made me wonder:
What made this conversation feel so “Sharp and right”?How was the host asking questions so effectively?How did the the guests were so spoken with clarity and depth?And most importantly — the conversation flowed naturally without ever feeling forced or random.Could I learn and apply that skill in my own thinking?
So I decided to break it down from first principles.
Not just what was asked, but how and why each question worked. I studied the host’s questioning style, and reverse-engineered a mental model for asking eloquent, insightful questions — below:
How to ask insightful questions with purpose and flow
Step | How | Why (Strategic Purpose) | Real Example | Assumption + Context |
1. Hook | Start with a topical or emotional trigger | Capture attention and relevance | “近來有傳聞，華為已經突破了…” | Everyone’s heard the rumour, few understand it deeply |
2. Frame | Ask about big-picture stakes | Position the topic in a broader context | “和美國的距離有沒有拉近？” | Audience cares about geopolitical rivalry |
3. Clarify | Press vague claims into concrete answers | Avoid fluff and gain specific insight | “具體說有多近呢？” | Experts often dodge specifics unless asked |
4. Disarm | Use humble tone or self-deprecation | Make guests feel safe to explain more | “以我僅有的科技知識理解…” | Humility encourages the guest to teach instead of defend |
5. Probe | Ask “how” something happened | Reveal the mechanism behind outcomes | “中國用什麼方法可以突破這些障礙？” | Audience values how, not just what |
6. Predict | Ask about future timelines | Tap into uncertainty and strategic thinking | “究竟多久有機會會追到美國？” | People want to know what’s next |
7. Humanise | Highlight people and talent involved | Build connection and relatability | “美國工程師很多是中國人…” | Stories make data relatable |
8. Simplify | Offer binary or structured options | Help guests give crisp, digestible answers | “技術高？還是成本低？” | Forces a clear response from multiple variables |
9. Stress-Test | Ask hypothetical or extreme cases | Reveal weakness or resilience | “如果美國繼續限制，中國頂得住嗎？” | Pressure questions reveal underlying belief |
10. Solve | Ask about solutions or alternatives | Show a way forward, not just problems | “有什麼公司可以替代台積電？” | Hope is just as powerful as critique |
11. Close | Ask a summary or wrap-up check-in | Create reflection or agreement | “你認為中國搞定了嗎？” | Brings closure and solidifies the message |
They guide the conversation, sharpen ideas, and invite real thinking.
They’re not just about getting answers — they’re about opening up insight.
Final Thought
Great questions don’t sound smart — they make others smarter.
What I learned from this isn’t just about tech or geopolitics.
It’s about thinking like a great interviewer with a clear thinking process:
- Understand what the audience wants to know but doesn’t know how to ask
- Build emotional and logical connection
- Use structure to guide depth and direction
Source:
- Author:Jason Siu
- URL:https://jason-siu.com/article/questioning-framework
- Copyright:All articles in this blog, except for special statements, adopt BY-NC-SA agreement. Please indicate the source!
