Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - August 17th

A wise man can learn more from a foolish question than a fool can learn from a wise answer. - Bruce Lee

It is not the answer that enlightens, but the question. - Eugene Ionesco

 

Over the last couple of weeks, Terri’s Tuesday Tip of the Week discussed why question are important.  Topics included: ask open-ended questions (July 20th), prepare for social interactions (July 27th), listen to the speaker (August 3rd) and ask why and why not questions (August 10^th). 

This blog series came about because the author was intrigued by the below quote from Voltaire:

Judge a man by his questions rather than his answers.

 

The answers we provide when asked a question are important, but equally as important are the questions we ask.  Asking questions:

Shows curiosity.  Leaders are curious and when they ask questions it shows a curiosity to learn and open to new ideas and concepts to implement to solve problems.

Opens the questioner’s mind to other people’s perspectives and invites innovation to complete tasks and projects.

Allows the questioner to gather additional information to learn.

Requires the reader to delve deeper into their thinking to form opinions and supporting research for their opinion. 

 

By asking questions, we allow ourselves to soar to new heights to accomplish our goals and dreams.

People who soar, are those who refuse to sit back and wish things would change. - Charles R. Swindoll

 

ACTION: During this unique time in society, our listening and questioning skills may have become rusty.  Spend time this week honing your skills. 

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - August 10th

 Some men see things as they are, and say why. I dream of things that never were, and say why not. - Robert Kennedy

 

All highly competent people continually search for ways to keep learning, growing, and improving. They do that by asking WHY. After all, the person who knows HOW will always have a job, but the person who knows WHY will always be the boss. - Benjamin Franklin

 

Why?  As the author said in May, she likes to ask “why”.  Asking “why” at the right time provides the opportunity to get additional insight and develop a stronger understanding of an individual’s perspective.  In a professional setting, asking why in a respectful manner opens the door for a better understanding of a decision being made.  On the other hand, asking “why not” provides insight and also often opens the line of communication to allow for an in-depth conversation to help comprehend the decision and hopefully calm any apprehension.

 

The common question that gets asked in business is, 'why?' That's a good question, but an equally valid question is, 'why not?' - Jeff Bezos

 

When asking “why” or “why not”, approach the matter respectfully and ask something like “to help me understand this decision made, why was this the path chosen?” or “please help me understand why this choice made and why not this other option.”  By asking respectfully and calmly, it will hopefully diffuse any apprehension on the responder’s part and show the individual asking the question is only looking for clarification.    

 

ACTION:  Asking questions unlocks the door to grasping so many new things.  Create 2 or 3 options for asking why or why not questions that show respect and desire to learn.

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - August 3rd

 When people talk, listen completely. Most people never listen. ― Ernest Hemingway

Most of the successful people I’ve known are the ones who do more listening than talking. ― Bernard M. Baruch

 

It takes a great man to be a good listener. ― Calvin Coolidge

 

 

As we prepare to attend events and activities, it is important to remember that we must listen to the other people in the conversation and not just ask questions.

 

Listening…

ü Allows the listener the opportunity to learn from the other individuals in the conversation. 

ü The opportunity to ask clarifying questions and ask follow up questions.

ü Active listening shows the speaker that the listener is interested and focused on what is being said and not thinking about anything else while in the conversation.

 

 

Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply. ― Stephen R. Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change

 

 

With so many distractions in society today, we must make the effort to listen to understand.  Listening is so important and can impact so many different aspects of life. 

 

 

ACTION:  This week, take time to actively listen to show the person you are talking with that you are listening to understand.  

 

Resources

Two Tricks to Asking Better Questions – Darren Hardy - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-tricks-to-asking-better-questions/id1449270369?i=1000526718036

This is the All Important Question - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-is-the-all-important-question/id1449270369?i=1000528218006

Clearer Thinking - https://www.clearerthinking.org/

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=231871741367991

https://michaelmcqueen.net/blog/3-keys-to-asking-better-questions

https://serveleadnow.com/15-great-quotes-about-questioning/