Another Monday, another milestone that marks the beginning of new opportunities. With God that’s actually happening every moment, but Monday’s sort of our reminder that we get to start over. Today’s word-of-the-week is …
QUESTION
Are you fussing with an important question?
As a teacher I loved questions. Not the “how do you get the right answer” kind of questions, but the real questions that allowed me to see a bit of what was turning over in someone’s brain.
I still love questions. When I speak, I look forward to the Q&A time at the end. I enjoy the questions I receive in response to my writing. When someone asks a good question, you know they’re engaged. You know they’re listening. A question means the other person has stepped into the circle.
Real questions don’t have right answers. They’re never completely resolved, so you just keep asking and maybe getting a little closer. Each person you ask can only give you their small piece of the puzzle, so you just accept their responses as information that maybe gives you a little better picture.
The best questions also inspire. You search out information and opinion, synthesize the input, and assess what’s still needed. Questions prompt you to meet new people, reveal a bit of your authentic self, and listen carefully to their ideas. They spur you to act, and the process enriches both parties.
You’re beginning a new week. What’s the question? What’s the incomplete picture, who knows some of what’s missing, and what can you ask that’ll help you to see a bit more clearly?
My question: What can I do to prompt more direct interaction between you and me? I’d appreciate your piece of the picture as a comment.
Have a great week.