We can also use presuppositions and insightful language to help us work with others and achieve an outcome.

Presuppositions as Questions

For example, when you arrive at a restaurant and are seated, they typically do not ask, “Are you thirsty?” They presuppose or assume that you have come to the restaurant because you are hungry and/or thirsty and therefore would like something to drink. The server usually proceeds to the next logical question (“What would you like to drink?”) rather than asking if you would like something to drink.

In other words, you are giving the person a choice, but over elements that you choose. (Of course, in the above example, the person might say, “Nothing,” but it is more likely that they will choose a beverage.)

You might also use a leading question, a rhetorical question, or a statement to obtain the desired result. Some other ways that the server could pose their question might be:

• What can I get you from our premium selection?
• You might be wondering what our drink specials are today.
• Would you like a hot or cold beverage today?
• A coffee would be really warming, wouldn’t it?