In business, it is important for people to think and to be willing to take chances.  Hypothetical questions can help people think about issues.  Below are two questions that I have used to help students (and others) think about issues.    

If delivering a commencement address, what would you say? 

Spring is a time when many newspapers print excerpts from commencement addresses given by politicians and celebrities. They share a lot of advice and stories. Often the advice is not memorable or practical.

Suppose that you were making a commencement address and wanted to share something that was actually helpful to the audience and the graduates. What advice, stories, or lessons learned would you share in such a context?

How would you respond?  

A friend of yours has just graduated from college.  The friend is looking for a job and asks for your advice.  How would you respond to this question?

Filed by Coleen Davis at 11:52 am under Business Acumen, Networking, New Ideas, Tips for Students