In a guided discussion, what type of questions should lead off the conversation?

Leading off a guided discussion with "Why" questions is effective because they encourage deeper thinking and exploration of underlying motivations and principles. These types of questions prompt participants to reflect on their beliefs, values, and reasoning, which can lead to more meaningful conversations. By asking "Why," facilitators can invite attendees to consider not just the surface-level facts or events, but the reasons behind them, fostering an environment of critical thinking and discovery.

Other types of questions, such as "What," "Who," and "When," while still valuable, tend to elicit more factual responses or specifics, which may limit the depth of the conversation. "What" questions are often focused on identifying details or definitions, "Who" questions center around identification of people involved, and "When" questions focus on timing. All of these contribute important information, but they do not stimulate the same level of engagement or introspective discussion that "Why" questions do.