[July 16, 2018] We often hear that there is no such thing as a dumb question. Sadly, that is not true. There are plenty of dumb and, frankly, embarrassing questions that make us look foolish and uninformed. What a good leader knows is that there are many advantages to asking good questions.
“The art and science of asking questions is the source of all knowledge.” – Thomas Berger, American novelist
Leaders will attempt to answer these “less intelligent” questions anyway and do so assuming others will gain from their effort. I believe such an approach is counterproductive and may lead to less or a confused understanding of the subject matter.
There are many ways to ask a good question; one that both goes to the heart of the subject being discussed and allows others to make judgments about the person asking the question. As a Flag Officer, I always asked questions in such a way that it make the other person stop for a moment and think hard before answering. This provided me with several advantages.
It is not my intent in this short article to write about how to ask questions but I will add a few words of advice. First, only ask essential questions. Second, don’t interrupt once you ask the question. Third, speak your listener’s language. And fourth, plan your questions ahead of time so they are clear, make sense, encourage thinking, and show you have command of the subject.1
In an earlier post, I noted that the ability to ask good questions is a sensible habit that leaders must adopt if they desire to improve their leadership skills (see link here). If you don’t know if your questions are inadequate, then ask someone you know to give you feedback on them.
Asking good questions is one of the key skills a leader must learn early on in their journey of leadership. The answers you get back should be informative, so learn how to do so with clarity and without a hidden purpose. More importantly, remember you are being judged by what you ask.
——————-
- Here is an article in the Harvard Business Review that provides advice on how to ask good questions: https://hbr.org/2009/05/real-leaders-ask.html
I’m surprised at how much we can overlook such a simple skill and one that can make us so much better as a leader but as a good person too.
Others have made a similar statement but I cannot think of a better way to improve your ability to lead than to ask good questions of the right person, at the right time, listen to their answers, and respond properly. Good job.
Today I will be showing this to my students here in my local High School where I teach and coach. Yes, good questions are overlooked. I’ve never thought of it that way.
I think that asking questions is one of the top skills that a good leader develops early in their career. In fact, I will argue that it begins early in life and those that develop it are those that will be most successful. I’m surprised that the skill is so ignored or overlooked.
Noted. Thanks Watson for making such an astute observation.
Good article for me to read while drinking by coffee in the early hours of Monday morning and having my dog at my side. Well done! We need more like this.
I liked your blog post today and showed my teacher at school. Cheers.
DUMB QUESTIONS are everywhere and they make you look like an idiot. If you are a leader at least try to make sense when you ask a question.
Really good article on a topic often not discussed. Asking good questions is a skill that can be honed by continued practice and use.
There are many kinds of leaders but all of them must have this skill set – to ask good questions – because it will help them in many ways, not just of a couple. Much appreciate your good article this morning. Thanks General Satterfield.
THis is, indeed, an overlooked topic until you get to be more of a senior leader. I will argue for the discussion here that it is important for leaders at all levels to be able to ask good questions that both show they have an understanding of the topic and that they are smart enough to be recognized for their efforts.
Good point here Bryan. I’ve always believed that asking a good question helps you get to the heart of the matter quicker. That is the point of asking good questions but to do so requires some level of smarts.
😉 I agree.
I too agree. This is a skill that people simply ignore.
I enjoyed your article today immensely. Thanks for providing some crucial info so that leaders can improve upon their skills.
Thank you General Satterfield for a look into the real world of performance at the level of excellence. Let’s not dumb down what it takes to be an effective and successful leader.
… and here’s another article people may want to read on how to “be amazingly good at asking questions.” What this says is that you need to target the kind of information you are after. This article somewhat misses the point since one of the two reasons we ask questions is to demonstrate we already understand the subject.
https://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/how-amazingly-good-asking-questions.html
Thaks Mark, this was a good article too.
Yes, thanks for another view on this topic.
“How to Ask Good Questions with Colin Boyd.” Great YouTube video. Just under 5 minutes and worth a look. https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=how+to+ask+a+good+question&view=detail&mid=8E7D89CA4142EFAB19668E7D89CA4142EFAB1966&FORM=VIRE
Good article today. Thanks.
Here is an article that gives us some suggestions on how to do well. “Ten Tips for Asking Good Questions.” https://www.dummies.com/careers/find-a-job/interviews/ten-tips-for-asking-good-questions/
Good article on this Monday morning. I’ll be headed off to school shortly and remind my students that a good question shows you are thinking and are likely ahead of your classmates.
You’re absolutely right about this. There are dumb questions and we are, in fact, judged by the questions we ask. Thank you for bringing this up to remind us of it.