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Are There Really No Dumb Questions?
As a leader, teacher or parent you want others to ask questions if they don't understand something you have said or demonstrated. So, literally, there are no dumb questions. But what if you look at the context in which you ask questions and perhaps there are circumstances when your questions appear dumb but can easily be changed so they don't limit your chances for advancement.
I believe there are six questions that in a certain environment may not show your best side:
- Repeating a question that was asked by others and answered once or more times. I know you may be thinking that the question is not dumb but rather the person was not listening or did not understand the answer given to others. I agree this may be the case so I advise a simple phrase before your question:
Weak "How many people will be there? Better, "I am sorry if someone asked this already but I am unclear on how many people will be there?
- A question that may slow down a group. In other words quickly figure out the level of knowledge of you group. If your group seems to be well versed in Windows 8 and you are asking how to turn your computer on, your question will appear weak. Let me give you an example.
Weak "How do I turn my computer on?" Better, "It appears I am at a beginner level, how can I find a class that will help me with the basics? This question can be asked in a group setting or alone during a break with the instructor.
- Asking detailed questions from someone that clearly does not have the answers. The previous example mentioned knowing your audience, this suggestion asks you to know your instructor or leader.
Weak "How do you compute the price of milk in today's market? Better, "I realize you may not know this but where can I find the formula for computing the price of milk in today's market?
- Making the other part defensive. Often we are curious about why something happens and we use "why" in our question. Again, this is not a dumb question but in a group or one-on-one, it may make the other person defensive.
Weak "Why are you doing it that way?" Better "What brought you to that conclusion?" or "How did you come to use this process?"
- A question that pulls the group off track. Sometimes we don't want to lose track of an idea or question and so we pose it to a group the moment we think of it. This can sometimes have the effect of derailing the team or throwing them off their goal.
Weak "What did we decide about coverage on the phones for the holiday?" Better "I don't want to side track the team but could we come back later to our decision on coverage for the holidays?" or "Could we capture my question on our decision for coverage for the holidays in our notes so we come back to it later?
- Insensitive questions. These occur when someone is curious about an issue but the timing is wrong.
Weak "I am sorry about the loss of your husband, how much did he leave you in his will? Better? There is no "better" to this question. Showing your condolences is all that is necessary.
Question for You:
Are there times when you feel like your questions do not show your best side or they detract from a group discussion rather than add to a group's discussion?
Action for You:
Become aware of the context in which you ask your questions by following the suggestions listed above. While there are no dumb questions, the environment in which you ask them may make them appear weak.
"Judge a man by his questions rather than by his answers."
Voltaire
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