For decades, success in the workplace often hinged on having the right answers and understanding the basic methodology to produce those answers. Whether it was a finance team calculating budgets, an operations manager optimizing workflows, a leasing agent addressing tenant inquiries, or an analyst pulling together regular reporting, the ability to reach the correct conclusions quickly was the defining skill.

But the Age of AI is rewriting the rules.

The rise of artificial intelligence is flipping the paradigm. The future of work will not hinge on who knows the right answer—it will depend on who knows how to ask the right questions.

Why the Shift?

AI thrives on data. Unlike human problem-solving, which relies on small datasets and heuristics, AI has the ability to process vast amounts of information to identify patterns and correlations. This means that in many scenarios, the "how" of getting an answer is less critical - AI can do the heavy lifting of computation, analysis, and even decision-making.

But machines don’t know what’s relevant or valuable to your team, your residents, or your bottom line. That requires the human touch. The true challenge lies in guiding AI by determining:

• Which questions are worth exploring?

• What data should be analyzed to answer them?

• How can the findings be applied to actionable strategies?

The skill to formulate these questions and guide AI effectively is what separates a team that leverages AI as a tool from one that is merely overwhelmed by it.

Connecting the Dots

Think of AI as a microscope: it allows us to see details that would otherwise go unnoticed. But a microscope is useless unless you know what to look for and why it matters.

In housing, this could mean identifying:

• Patterns in tenant behavior to reduce churn

• Operational inefficiencies to lower costs

• Emerging market trends to stay competitive

AI can surface these insights, but only if you know how to frame the problem. The ability to connect disparate dots within a flow of data requires a shift in focus from methods of finding answers to strategies for asking better questions.

The Hard Skill: Question Formulation

To harness AI effectively, your team must develop a new hard skill: question formulation. This involves more than curiosity - it’s a structured process of inquiry that draws on multiple disciplines to frame an effective prompt and resulting response.

Good questions are:

• Clear – ambiguity leads to unproductive AI outputs

• Purposeful – focused on achieving specific, actionable outcomes

• Contextual – grounded in the realities of your organization and industry

• Iterative – open to refinement based on new insights or evolving goals

For example, consider a common problem in rental housing: vacancy rates. Instead of asking, "How can we fill vacant units faster?" a better question to frame may be, "What patterns can we identify in tenant turnover, and how can we act to improve retention before vacancies occur?"

The difference lies in the scope and utility of the question. One seeks a single solution; the other opens a door to insights that influence multiple strategic directions.

The Soft Skills That Drive Success

The ability to ask the right questions doesn’t happen in isolation. It is built on fundamental soft skills that your team needs to cultivate, including:

• Paying Attention – data doesn’t speak for itself; it requires context. Leaders and team members must notice trends, listen to stakeholders, and identify where problems and opportunities intersect. The need for human expertise won't erode in the Age of AI; instead, it will be more critical than ever.

• Agility – data is dynamic and insights can shift rapidly. Teams must be ready to pivot and adjust the framing, questions, and prompts as the situation evolves.

• Curiosity – the best questions come from those who seek to understand, not simply to confirm. A team driven by curiosity will push AI to its limits, uncovering opportunities others might miss.

• Adaptability – AI requires a willingness to embrace new workflows, tools, and ways of thinking. Employees who resist change risk being left behind in an AI-enabled world.

What This Means for Housing Organizations

For rental housing organizations, the stakes are high. We're embarking on a transformational journey as AI tools enable everything from predictive maintenance to personalized leasing strategies. Teams that master the skill of asking the right questions will not only leverage these tools effectively but also position themselves as innovators in a competitive market.

Hiring managers and leadership teams should prioritize question-formulation skills when building and developing their workforce. Look for candidates who exhibit curiosity, adaptability, and the ability to think critically about complex systems. Provide existing employees with training and resources to help them embrace this new paradigm.

Embrace the Future

The Age of AI doesn’t diminish the value of human expertise—it amplifies it. But to thrive in this era, your team must pivot from focusing on finding answers to asking better questions.

By cultivating this skill, you will unlock the full potential of AI, connect data to strategy, and position your organization for long-term success in an increasingly complex world.

Are you ready to ask better questions?