The Questions that Matter Most

Lessons from the Long Haul

The fluorescent lights hummed overhead in an austere D.C. federal building, casting everything in harsh relief. Twenty-plus people sat around a conference table that had seen countless meetings, its surface scarred by decades of rushed note-taking and coffee cup rings. The air felt thick with unspoken tensions and competing priorities.

I was early in my career then, still learning to read the subtle currents that flow beneath formal proceedings. One by one, each person delivered their remarks—some clipped and defensive, others rambling with frustration. The energy in the room grew heavier with each statement, like storm clouds gathering before a downpour.

Then my colleague stood. They were one of the last to speak, and I watched as they took a moment to survey the room, their gaze resting briefly on each face. When they began, their voice was steady. They wove together the threads of what they’d heard over the past hour, acknowledging not just the content but the concerns beneath the words. Names were mentioned. Perspectives were honored. Questions were posed that invited deeper thinking rather than defensive responses.

I found myself scanning the room, watching heads nod almost involuntarily. Small smiles flickered across faces when people heard their contributions reflected back with care. The atmosphere shifted—still serious, but somehow more breathable.

That moment has stayed with me through years of climate work, from village community meetings where elders share stories over a cup of tea at kitchen tables, to international negotiation tables where interpreters whisper quietly in delegates' ears. The truth I learned that day transcends settings: people want to feel heard, understood, seen.

As Charles Duhigg writes in Supercommunicators, "But what's important is wanting to connect, wanting to understand someone, wanting to have a deep conversation, even when it is hard and scary, or when it would be so much easier to walk away."

In climate work, where the stakes are high and the challenges complex, these deeper conversations aren't just nice to have—they're essential. They help us understand not just what people think, but why they think it. They reveal the values and experiences that shape someone's relationship to environmental issues. They create the foundation for lasting partnerships and meaningful action.

Field-Tested: The P.E.E.L Method for Deeper Climate Conversations

Often what presents itself as the obvious issue isn't the core challenge that needs addressing. Like peeling back the layers of an onion, meaningful dialogue requires questions that go beneath the surface to reveal underlying values, beliefs, and experiences.

I've developed what I call the P.E.E.L method for asking open-ended questions that invite people to share what really matters to them:

P → Purpose | What drives this person's commitment to climate work?

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​ "What drew you to focus on coastal erosion in your community?"

“What do you hope this project will mean for future generations?”

“What keeps you motivated when climate work feels overwhelming?”

E → Emotion | How does this work make them feel?

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​ "What part of this renewable energy transition feels most encouraging to you?"

“When you think about your community’s environmental future, what comes up for you?

“What energizes you the most about your climate work these days?”

E → Experience | What personal experiences shape their perspective?

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​ "Can you tell me about a moment when you really felt the impact of climate change in your daily life?"

“What’s a time when you saw your community come together around an environmental issue?”

“Can you share a story about when nature or a place on the land really mattered to you?”

L → Learning | How has their understanding evolved over time?

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​ "How has your approach to community engagement changed since you started this work?"

“What’s something about climate solutions that you understand differently now than when you began?

“What has this work taught you about your own community that you didn’t expect?”

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What to avoid: "Why" questions (which can feel accusatory) or yes/no questions (which can shut down further dialogue).

What to embrace: Questions that create space for storytelling, reflection, and genuine sharing.
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Practice when the stakes are low. The next time you're chatting with a colleague over coffee, try looping back what you hear, acknowledging the emotions behind their words, and asking P.E.E.L questions. Notice how conversations deepen when you peel back the layers to align truths and understanding.

Signals & Shifts

How to talk about climate change: Yale Climate Connections offers research-backed strategies for meaningful climate conversations, including the power of asking questions rather than making statements. Read more​

Beyond “What did you learn?” Evaluator Jessica Sickler explores why asking about learning is trickier than it seems. “What surprised you?” or “This reminded me…” prompts can unlock richer conversations about informal learning experiences. Read her approach and for more evaluation insights, check out Jessica’s monthly Evaluation Therapy newsletter.​

This week's reflection: Think of a recent climate conversation that felt particularly meaningful. What questions were asked that helped you understand the other person's deeper motivations? How might you incorporate more P.E.E.L questions in your upcoming meetings?

BONUS

As we move deeper into summer, it’s the perfect time to blend reflection with action. In celebration of this season of connection and light, I’ve created a WTL Summer 2025 Bingo card with 24 small, intentional actions that combine professional growth with personal renewal.

Print it out, invite colleagues to play along, or keep it digital—whatever works for you. I’d love to see how you use it!

Take good care of yourself and the work that's yours to do. Both matter more than you know.

Nikoosh

Work That Lasts arrives every other Wednesday. Forward to a colleague who might need these tools, or reply and let me know what's working in your own practice.

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