Questions

One of the greatest assets any leader can have is the ability to ask really great questions.

Often people ask a question to get an answer to "pass the test".  The test could be a literal academic test in school, a job report that the boss will see, a social interaction where you don't want to look like an idiot, etc.  There are a lot of moments in each of our day where we are posed with a question, and often we don't even see it.

• When scrolling through a social media post and you read something that you agree with have you every asked yourself why you agree with it?
• How about an online article that angers you, where does that anger come from?
• When your roommate or spouse continues to do something that bothers you do you attack them for their actions or do you try to figure out why the action is so offensive to you?
• When in a discussion in your dorm room, house or place of employment are you often asking questions or are questions being asked of you?

There is an art in asking really good questions.  The art isn't in the words you use, but in the ability to consistently wonder at what is happening below the surface of what we see or read.  Interacting with teenagers I've learned how to ask really good questions & I've also been asked some really great questions.  When students ask questions they either want confirmation for what they already are thinking or they are trying to explore life in such a way they are testing their own boundaries of thought and trust you enough to voice those thoughts.

You know who was really good at asking questions, Sherlock Holmes.  The character of Sherlock Holmes was built on sound deductive thinking.  Noticing clues, facts & observations and moving forward embracing all aspects of a case.  His questions came from exploring life relentlessly, nothing was too mundane for him to be curious about.

Maybe today or this week you can practice the basic Sherlock Holmes questioning test.
Notice the little things in life.  Be curious of your own emotions and feelings.
Ask WHY.  Go ahead, I give your freedom to probe your own soul as well as the world you live in.
Questions allow us to continue to think broader.  Questions allow us to reason deeper.  Questions allow us to see what may be hidden intentionally by others.  Questions allow us to never forget life is way more intricate than we often live it out to be.

My only caution would be to do not be paralyzed to NOT act.  Remember Sherlock wasn't always right, but in his wrong evaluations he still pursued a deeper understanding of the truth.

Enjoy exploring life through questions.