---
title: "Clarifying questions for a deal you hope will work"
description: "Questions Iger says to ask when you are hoping something works without being able to explain how."
canonical: https://tomsharman.com/bookshelf/the-ride-of-a-lifetime/clarifying-questions-for-a-deal-you-hope-will-work/
updated: 2026-11-03
---

# Clarifying questions for a deal you hope will work

> Questions Iger says to ask when you are hoping something works without being able to explain how.

Robert Iger's framework, from The Ride of a Lifetime, pp. 20 to 121.

Framework 4 of 7 from [The Ride of a Lifetime](https://tomsharman.com/bookshelf/the-ride-of-a-lifetime/index.md) by Robert Iger. Category: Life and thinking.

## The steps

1. **What is the problem I need to solve?.** Name the problem before judging the solution.
2. **Does this solution make sense?.** Check the fit rather than the hope.
3. **If I am feeling some doubt, why?.** Treat the doubt as information.
4. **Am I doing this for sound reasons?.** Test whether something personal is driving the choice.

## Where it comes from

From chapter: Part One: Learning, pp. 20–121

## The animation

24 seconds, 4:5, no sound.

- MP4: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/the-ride-of-a-lifetime/clarifying-questions-for-a-deal-you-hope-will-work.mp4
- MP4, dark: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/the-ride-of-a-lifetime/clarifying-questions-for-a-deal-you-hope-will-work-dark.mp4
- Still: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/the-ride-of-a-lifetime/clarifying-questions-for-a-deal-you-hope-will-work.png
- Still, dark: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/the-ride-of-a-lifetime/clarifying-questions-for-a-deal-you-hope-will-work-dark.png