Tactics by Gregory Koukl
Week 6: Chapter 5 — Columbo, Part 3: Using Questions to Lead
Read Chapter 5 of Tactics by Gregory Koukl.
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Having learned to clarify and probe for reasons, Koukl now shows how a series of well-placed questions can gently guide someone toward seeing a problem in their own thinking — without ever having to argue.
Discussion Questions
7 questions1.In this chapter, Koukl extends the Columbo tactic beyond clarification and fact-finding into what he calls 'leading' — using questions to move a conversation toward a specific insight. What distinguishes a leading question from a manipulative one? What is the honest version of this move?
2.Koukl walks through examples of how a chain of simple, sincere questions can walk someone to the edge of a logical problem in their own view. Can you reconstruct one such chain from the chapter? What made it work?
a.At what point in the chain does the other person begin doing their own intellectual work?
b.Why is it important that they arrive at the insight themselves rather than being told?
3.One risk of leading questions is that the asker can come across as smug — as if they already know where the conversation is going and are just waiting for the other person to catch up. How do you guard against that in practice? What attitude adjustments make the difference?
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