We often start conversations or try to get to the heart of a matter by asking, "What do you think?"
That's a great question for sure.
And here's another one: How do you think?
When I worked for a hotel, they wanted us to "think like owners." Meaning, ownership is intimately concerned with the bottom line. Owners often get paid only when there is a profit, so encouraging employees to focus on said profit means that owners get their investment back. Not a bad strategy.
So how do you think? Do you think like an owner?
Or a mechanic, concerned with how it all works?
What about an artist, creating something out of blank space?
Or a doctor, looking for the root problem and then a remedy?
Maybe a scientist, searching for an explanation and a theory to move forward with?
A lover, looking for romance and relationship?
An author, bringing out the story in each situation?
A parent, concerned with growth and care of others?
A pioneer, blazing trails and leaving paths?
Yes - tell me what you think. But then reveal to me how you think so we can start thinking together.
(That's the best way to think, really. Together.)