Asking questions versus questioning things

Questions, questions, questions. Some of us ask them because it makes us look smart, others of us ask them because it puts the onus on the questionee, and once in a while we ask because we want to learn.

Asking questions, a lot of them, is not all that good if it allows the questioner to be passive. A passive questioner is not contributing, they are making noise, they are avoiding getting in the fray with everyone else. So what's the answer? We need the questioner to contribute.

So don't ask endless questions, rather, question things. Question why something is happening and why not something else. Question your usual approach and consider another.

It may seem like semantics, but a barrage of questions fired at someone versus some thought-out questioning of specific issues is very different. The former is noise, the latter can bring engaging discussion and energizing results.

Barry LaBov
LaBov & Beyond
http://www.labov.com/
http://www.barrylabov.com/

One Extra Question

It's easy to jump to conclusions, to make a decision based on one statement or fact. But in large and small corporations, that's a challenge. Often, a new policy or campaign is launched and fails because it was built on a faulty premise, assumption or edict.

Sometimes all it takes is one more question to clarify what's at the heart. My sister-in-law is a great example. She was called into the doctor's office for tests. After she went through numerous ones, the doctor came in and tried to assure her by saying, "I think you're fine. If you were my wife, I wouldn't do anymore testing."

She looked up at him and asked, "How well do you get along with your wife?"

One question can clarify a lot.

Barry LaBov
LaBov & Beyond
www.labov.com
wwww.labovsaleschannel.com

Questions and More Questions

We've all been taught it's important to listen. It's important to ask questions in order to learn and improve. But it's also important to have an idea, an opinion or a recommendation.

Some of the most overrated people ask the most questions and appear to be most impressive. But, other than asking questions, what value are they bringing? If they aren't also suggesting solutions, I suggest they are doing no good and are if anything, a distraction.

Whether we are dealing with customers at our store or clients over the phone or having a talk with our boss, we have to bring them something of value, something more than peppering them with questions. We have to offer up a piece of ourselves, our hearts, our minds--something that is meaningful.

Asking questions of others is only good if it results in us providing them answers.

Barry LaBov
LaBov & beyond
www.labov.com
www.labovsaleschannel.com