We’re all hungry for better answers. But first we need to know how to ask the right questions. Warren Berger, A More Beautiful Question
Anyone who knows me knows I ask a lot of questions. But when I was younger, it wasn’t something my family always appreciated. Maybe it was because they didn’t know some of the answers, or they felt overwhelmed by the quantity of questions I asked—there were a lot. Or maybe, they weren’t exactly inspired by my approach; one of my brother’s nicknames for me was “The Interrogator.”
In recent years, people have not only expressed appreciation for my questions, “You ask the best questions,” but they’ve told me it’s a quality they really like. I’ve worked on my delivery 😊
When done correctly, questions not only make us more likeable, but they can strengthen our work relationships and contribute to workplace success. Knowing how, what, and when to ask questions is important, but understanding the why behind questions is a great place to start.
WHY WE DON’T
There are several reasons why people don’t ask questions:
- They’re more interested in sharing their own stories and ideas then hearing about others; either they don’t care, don’t think to ask, or they’re focused on promoting themselves.
- They believe they already know the answer or have all the answers.
- They’re worried it will make them look bad; someone might think they’re annoying, insubordinate, or incompetent.
- Many organizations, businesses, and institutions value questions, but they don’t encourage them. There aren’t classes on how to ask questions, students are often rewarded for memorized answers – not questions, and asking questions in the workplace is frequently interpreted as a challenge to authority and the status quo.
WHY WE SHOULD
- Questions open up new brain patterns which can generate fresh, innovative, and sometimes better ideas. Asking the right questions during Covid 19 has enabled many businesses to adapt and, in some cases, thrive –whether it’s working remotely, adding new products and services, or changing how they deliver customer service.
- Thanks to Google and the internet, there’s no shortage of answers and information, but is it all relevant or helpful for your business? With the right questions, you can more easily sort through. For example: How current is the information? Is there an agenda behind it? How does it connect with what you already know?
- Through questions, we learn about others: their needs, how much they understand, and their potential. We also learn about consequences: risks and benefits. Did you ever wish you’d asked more questions before investing in more technology or hiring someone new?
- Questions build rapport. According to Alison Wood Brooks, Harvard Business School, people who ask questions are better liked and learn more from their conversations. And those who ask follow-up questions are more likely to be better managers, land better jobs, and get second dates!
One of the biggest complaints people have about their communication with others? They wished they’d been asked more questions.
The most creative successful business leaders have tended to be expert questioners. Warren Berger, A More Beautiful Question.
Businesses used to want to hire the person who had all the answers. Now it’s the person who asks the right questions. Great thinkers, innovators, problem solvers, and leaders all know the importance of questions. Who knew that being curious would be such a valuable job skill?