The Choice Map™ Marilee Goldberg Adams, PhD
The Choice Map is a powerful tool for learning, action, and results. It’s simple and it works. Use it to help you solve problems and achieve goals personally and professionally. The key is asking Learner Questions and avoiding Judger ones.

Here’s how to use it:
Imagine you’re standing at the crossroads of the Choice Map, considering what to do with some situation in your life. It might be with your business, job, or career. It might be with your family, friends, or perhaps your health. Experiment by asking yourself both Judger and Learner Questions. Notice how each affects you and what solutions each allows you to see. Which questions were more helpful, the Judger ones or the Learner ones

For more information about Marilee G. Adams, PhD work go to Institute for Inquiring Leadership

Choice Model
(Click to Enlarge)
To get the best answers…ask the best questions.™
Results of asking Judger Questions: Results of asking Learner Questions:
  • A mood of pessimism
  • A mindset that is reactive, inflexible, and judgmental
  • Relationships that operate in an “attack or defend” mode
  • A mood of optimism, hope, and possibilities
  • A mindset that is thoughtful, flexible, and accepting
  • Relationships that operate in a collaborative and innovative mode
Judger Questions include: Learner Questions include:
  • What’s wrong?
  • Whose fault is it?
  • How can I stay in control?
  • How could I lose?
  • How could I get hurt?
  • Why bother?
  • What’s right?
  • What am I responsible for?
  • What are my choices?
  • What’s useful about this?
  • What can I learn?
  • What’s possible?