
According to Rupal Patel, the question "Who disagrees?" has been beneficial in both intelligence and corporate environments because it allows for disagreements to be addressed and dealt with before it's too late. By getting clear on disagreements, the final strategy can be improved, as everyone has a chance to have their say. This leads to more buy-in and less friction during the execution of whatever is decided. In the CIA, debating their reporting and soliciting disagreements made their overall argument more robust. In commercial and corporate settings, this question can make the final strategy better by giving everyone a chance to voice their opinions and concerns.

Rupal Patel emphasizes the importance of identifying all relevant stakeholders at the beginning of a meeting because it ensures that all of the involved parties, along with their respective objections, concerns, and perspectives, are brought into the conversation from the start. This helps to make the discussion more productive and avoids the risk of having to start from scratch due to the involvement of previously unidentified stakeholders. By asking the question, "Is there anyone else who needs to be part of this discussion?" at the beginning of every meeting, she aims to make the decision-making process more efficient and effective, ultimately leading to more successful collaborations and outcomes.

The phrase "What information do you need?" streamlines communication and decision-making processes by directly addressing the specific needs of the person seeking information. Rupal Patel, a former CIA analyst and CEO, emphasizes the importance of asking this question to ensure that the conversation is productive and focused on providing valuable information. By asking this question, it allows the person in front of you to guide the conversation towards the information they require for their decision-making process, rather than trying to guess or read their mind. This approach saves time and helps to avoid misunderstandings, ultimately leading to more effective communication and better decision-making outcomes.