Page 66 - engage workbook

SHAPE conversations are non-linear. SHAPE represents a toolkit of questions from which
you can choose the most appropriate question to ensure that points of conversation are
fully understood.
video

Adjust – to seek confirmation, identify
priorities or seek permission.
e.g. Is addressing this
a key priority Surface – to surface facts.
for you? The who, what, where, when.
Adjust e.g. What is making you so
Paint – to paint to change busy?
future desired direction
outcomes.
e.g. Six months Surface
from now, if
you were Paint facts
less busy, outcomes
what would
you do with
the extra
time?"
Hunt – to hunt for the
impact of current facts.
Engage – to agree Engage Hunt The focus is usually
next steps. for next for current and negative.
e.g. What will you challenges e.g. How does your
do first to steps being so busy
make a affect your
change? colleagues?

SHAPE questions engage - helping shape and prioritize future goals and current challenges.

They ensure a comprehensive understanding - and prevent the offer of poorly
thought-out ideas and solutions based on biased assumptions and an incomplete picture.

SHAPE questions differentiate - through a focus on what matters to others, positioning
the questioner as a catalyst for valuable thought and action.

My greatest strength as a consultant is to
be ignorant and ask a few questions.

Peter Drucker, author

61 engage-universe.com