Sharni Purvis,
LGFS Supervisor
“If meetings like touch points have become stale or feel like a tick-box exercise, don’t stick to the same structure. Try something different. Like me, you might be surprised by the outcome.”
Inspiration and Development
What first drew me to using powerful questions was the potential they had to transform routine, transactional meetings into genuine, human conversations. After years of attending and conducting touch point meetings, I noticed that their original purpose, creating space for meaningful connection, had been lost. They had become formulaic check-ins focused on performance rather than people.
I wanted to reintroduce curiosity and authenticity into these interactions. Powerful questions provided a simple yet effective way to do that, encouraging reflection and connection in a natural, engaging way.
The idea for the electronic randomiser emerged from a conversation with another supervisor who hadn’t attended the strengths-based training and therefore didn’t have access to the physical question cards. To make the approach accessible for everyone, I created a digital database that could randomly select a question at the click of a button. This ensured fairness, no one could pick a question they felt comfortable with, and allowed anyone to use the tool, wherever they were.
Using the Tool in Practice
The randomiser was tested both in person and online, ensuring it worked equally well in both environments. In face-to-face meetings, participants could click the randomise button themselves, reinforcing the sense of spontaneity and shared ownership. Online, I shared my screen so everyone could see the random selection happen live. This transparency built trust and engagement, participants enjoyed the unpredictability and the novelty of discovering what the next conversation would explore.
Each question served as a launch pad for deeper dialogue. It wasn’t just about asking and answering, it was about listening, following up, and understanding. Through these questions, I learned more about my colleagues’ values, experiences, and even their favourite desserts, insights that simply wouldn’t have surfaced in a traditional meeting.
Impact on Teams and Relationships
The shift has been remarkable. What were once dreaded meetings have become moments of anticipation and genuine connection. Colleagues now look forward to touch points, curious about what new question will appear and what conversations it might spark.
The tool has helped humanise professional relationships. I’ve come to know my colleagues beyond their job titles, understanding their backgrounds, aspirations, and challenges. This has allowed me to support them in more meaningful ways, from helping with professional development opportunities to understanding personal motivations that influence workplace behaviour.
Perhaps most importantly, powerful questions have deepened trust. They’ve turned routine interactions into shared moments of discovery, both for me and for the people I work with.
Encouraging Others to Try It
I hope this experience inspires others to experiment with powerful questions, whether through the randomiser or the question cards. It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution, but it’s a simple, creative way to reinvigorate conversations that may have grown stale. Sometimes all it takes is one thoughtfully random question to open a door to understanding, connection, and lasting engagement.
If you would like to use the ‘Question Randomiser’ (Excel) please get in touch with Sharni who would be delighted to share it.