00;00;00;00 - 00;00;41;28
Erica Machulak
So this concept of generative questions is something that we use and talk about a lot in our own work at Hikma. And it's a way of entering a conversation with a new or existing partner and honoring the knowledge and experience that's in the room. You can use them to get to know people that you'd like to work with or to make sure that your existing collaborations continue to stay on track as you try to create value in the world.
00;00;42;00 - 00;01;09;02
Erica Machulak
We try to model generative questions in the episodes that follow by showing active listening and leveraging our empathy and curiosity to move conversations forward.
00;01;09;04 - 00;01;42;13
Erica Machulak
So before we dive into these conversations with some of my dream mentors, I want to share a few generative questions that you can ask in your next meeting with a partner or a collaborator to move your work forward together. Generative questions are rooted in the assumption that we and our collaborators bring complementary strengths to the table. They are designed to identify existing needs, challenges and opportunities, and to surface potential connections that may not otherwise be visible or intuitive.
00;01;42;16 - 00;02;10;08
Erica Machulak
So in this episode, before we dive in to these conversations, I want to share three questions that are non-exhaustive but indicate the different types of knowledge that we can access to demonstrate respect, discover intersections, and quickly identify logistical considerations. So whether you are planning a new project at work, trying to launch a new research initiative, building some kind of community engaged project.
00;02;10;10 - 00;02;38;22
Erica Machulak
These questions will be useful to you in getting everyone on the same page and starting your project with the right tone. Questions are: first, what are your current priorities? And this question, I think, is really important because it's about figuring out where people are in the moment and what they're trying to achieve so that you can gear the thing that you're building together toward the things that are most important to them.
00;02;38;24 - 00;03;40;05
Erica Machulak
Second question is what have you already tried? Sometimes we hear this language of coming to a new relationship with a blank slate, but there is never a blank slate. And so asking folks what they're already doing to address these needs, challenges and opportunities is inherently an acknowledgment that there are strengths there already and that you respect the fact that there is existing knowledge and existing efforts that you can build upon, instead of trying to come in and be the hero. The third question, and this is huge, is what is your timeline? This question might seem straightforward, but it's often one that people forget to ask as you're trying to build the rhythm of a project and figure out these cyclical relationships that will endure over a long time. Asking logistical questions about how you're going to get the thing done is a way to show respect for people's time, as well as genuine initiative to move the next steps forward.
00;03;40;08 - 00;04;05;09
Erica Machulak
So while these questions are straightforward, they signal underlying values, knowledges and practical insights that will build your trust and save you time. So whatever the thing is that you are trying to create and put out in the world these days, I hope those questions are useful to you and I hope that you find community in the ways that we have with the speakers this season.
00;04;05;16 - 00;04;13;13
Erica Machulak
We look forward to sharing these conversations and we hope you will continue to join us. Thanks for listening.
00;04;13;16 - 00;04;39;22
Erica Machulak
We hope you've enjoyed this episode of the Hikma Collective Podcast. I'm your host, Erica Machulak, founder of Hikma. The production this episode was led by Sophia van Hees, in collaboration with Simangele Mabena, Eufemia Baldassarre, Ai Mizuta, Nicole Markland and Dashara Green. Matthew Tomkinson composed the original music you hear now in his capacity as the 2022 Hikma artist in residence.
00;04;39;24 - 00;05;09;24
Erica Machulak
This podcast has been made possible with generous support from Innovate BC, Tech Nation, the Information and Communications Technology Council, the Canada Digital Adoption Program and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. You can find show notes, links and transcripts at www.hikma.studio/podcast. Hikma is situated on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the ən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ speaking Musqueam people.
00;05;09;26 - 00;05;31;03
Erica Machulak
We are grateful to be here and to share this space with you. Our speakers, team members and listeners are based all over the world and wherever you're listening, we encourage you to learn more about whose lands you're on.
