Company
Date Published
Author
Luciano Viterale
Word count
1200
Language
English
Hacker News points
None

Summary

When I was a first-time founder, my approach to business was akin to playing a game of chance: pulling various levers and praying for a lucrative outcome. This haphazard strategy led to setbacks such as cash flow issues, unmet objectives, and dissatisfied customers. However, adopting the Socratic method helped me improve all aspects of my work by challenging assumptions and clarifying ideas with my co-founder. By asking open-ended questions like "What do you mean by that?" and "Can you help me understand how you came to that conclusion?", I noticed a huge improvement in alignment and understanding among team members, including resolving problems and stimulating creativity. The Socratic method can be applied to get stakeholder buy-in, improve workplace interactions, and even inform customer interviews. By adopting this approach, businesses can challenge assumptions, gain clarity, and grow their operations.