What Is Your Favorite Way...To Get People To Think?

Answer 1

Ask them a question that cannot be answered with a yes or no, just as you are doing with this question!

Questions that start with what or how work very well. Then follow-up their responses with statements or questions which show an interest, like. "That's interesting. So what you are saying is.... Or you can throw in some information or perspective that is contrary to their view, but in a non-judgmental way.

I think the key is to be open and non-judgmental. Otherwise the person feels that they need to defend their long-held opinion or belief in order to save face.

Answer 2

Thoughts are like a single strand of yarn raveled into a complex and elaborate ball of yarn.

We can easily see the loose end in this ball of yarn but the fact that this same loose strand is part of the very strand of yarn that ravels its way into the very core--that isn't always so obvious.

So what does it take to encourage someone to unravel their ball of yarn that is their mind? Would they bother looking deeper if the yarn wasn't their favorite color or if they thought it was too knotted to unravel? Probably not. This is why might to "get into their head" by asking a question they will hopefully see relates to them. Look for a commonality that helps to scratch the surface. This is why we ask questions in the appropriate category; people are more likely to respond.

Then you leave the rest up to them.

Good luck.

Answer 3

By asking them questions in their realm of thinking

Answer 4

Land on their head

Answer 5

I recommend a book or movie for them, hopefully they read or watch it and we can discuss it.

Answer 6

Give them something that is really compilcated to think about.