Episode at a glance

Dr. Elizabeth Keating is a linguistic anthropologist who explores language — and more recently, narrative — to understand people’s daily experiences. In her new book, The Essential Questions: Interview Your Family to Uncover Stories and Bridge Generations, she explores the power of asking open-ended questions that create connections by revealing the particularities of people’s lives.

As much as I find this topic compelling in my personal life, I am intrigued by how leaders can use this approach to learn more about their campuses. This approach seems particularly useful when folks are new to a campus or a role, and seek to understand what is unique about their new community.

In particular, we discuss how specific questions that seem concrete open the door to meaningful memories, and the magic of asking people how they spend their time.

Readings and resources

Learn more about Elizabeth Keating, professor of Anthropology at the University of Texas-Austin.

Explore Elizabeth’s books:

The Essential Questions: Interview Your Family to Uncover Stories and Bridge Generations.

Words Matter: Communicating Effectively in the New Global Office.

Power Sharing: Language, Rank, Gender, and Social Space in Pohnpei, Micronesia.

Other episodes you might like

Episode 7, Planning For An Uncertain Future Through Storytelling

Episode 18, The Role of Women Leaders in Educating for Democracy