The Dumb Question

Written by Joy Emery

I have often been part of leadership meetings in which individuals were given new information and then asked if they had any questions. Typically everyone knows who the "Question Asker" will be. The "Question Asker" doesn't fear the ridicule of his peers rolling their eyes as he begins his barrage of questions. In fact, his supervisor has made it clear that the only dumb question is the one that someone around the table doesn't ask.

We can learn the following from the "Question Asker":

1. Some risks are worth taking. The "Question Asker" willingly risks the short-term ridicule and badgering from peers in order to clarify the new information. The clarification leads to more productive work and fewer errors.
2. Clarification on the spot is better than the rumor mill that follows. The "Question Asker" doesn't risk peer interpretation of the information revealed. He goes right to the source of the new information. He has probably experienced the result of conjecture and has chosen not to allow faulty peer interpretation after the meeting and misinterpretation to cloud his work and performance.
3. Upfront answers save time and money. No one likes to do things twice. If you are not clear regarding expectations, your best bet is to clear things up before beginning your work. If you often get caught without completing projects up to your supervisor's expectations, you might begin to see how more questions might save you both time and money.

If you have never been one to step out and ask questions in a group setting, but often feel frustrated when you are not clear regarding expectations, then try these steps to become a "Question Asker":

1. Set a goal to ask one appropriate question at your next group, department, or company meeting. Focus on the person you direct your question to and avoid focusing on your peers.
2. If speaking in large groups intimidates you, hang around after the meeting and get clarification on the spot. If the person giving the information doesn't have time to meet following the presentation, ask if you can email your question, set up an appointment for a personal meeting at a later time, or see if there is someone else you can meet with who can answer your questions.
3. Always take a note pad and record both information given and your comments or questions as you go. Often in meetings, you think of a question on the spot, but by the end of the presentation, you have forgotten your concerns. If you begin to list your thoughts and comments as you go, you will have a clearer picture of what is expected and better formulate your questions.

You can become a "Question Asker" and improve your confidence in asking questions. Even Jesus often used questions as a way of teaching. Dumb questions? Remember that there is only one—the one you fail to ask. 

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