When facing objections (rejected promotion, declined raise, no budget for project), 'what would it take' questions shift conversation from opposition to problem-solving. 'What would it take for me to be promoted next year?' invites specific answer; 'I deserve a promotion' invites debate.
Where to use this
Promotion conversations. Salary negotiations. Project approval requests. Resource allocation. Cross-functional cooperation.
The framing produces clearer information about what's actually possible, what conditions need meeting, and where to focus effort.