dispatches from the new world of work

100 Ways to Succeed #152:

Ask & Ask & Ask Until You Understand!

Make it one of your 2009 and beyond resolutions:

"I shall lead the league in Asking Dumb Questions."
"I shall become Questioner-in-Chief."
"I shall persist until I 'get it.'"
"I shall evaluate others in part on their skill at Asking Dumb Questions."
"We shall hire in part on perceived or measured Instinctive Curiosity." (For every slot.)

Swallow your damn pride, especially "top" bosses.
Ask until you understand!
The "dumber" the question the better!
If the askee is pissed off at you for your "stupidity"-or pigheadedness, consider that Victory.
Ask!
Ask!
Ask!

(And require whomever to boil the damn thing down to one paragraph in VPE, Very Plain English—or whatever your native tongue is.)
(On the other hand, sweat the details—the weird, incomprehensible thing about whatever may well appear in Footnote #7 to Appendix C in the full version of the report.)

Tom Peters posted this on 01/22/09.

Comments

As a design focused person who works closely with IT I live by that mantra.

Stupid questions beat an expensive (time and/or money/opportunity cost) mistake any day of the week.

I’ve been lucky enough not to encounter anyone who gets annoyed at this. In fact, with IT, the experienced professionals prefer it this way.

Posted by Anthony at January 22, 2009 4:59 PM

Tom - Whilst heated and brilliant discussions happen in other postings I am at ease in the relative tranquillity of this posting.

Can I say how much I agree with your sentiments about asking naive questions?

I am often accused of asking ‘stupid’ or ‘naïve’ questions. I take it as a compliment though I guess it’s not mean to be one.

There are far too many pretentious managers who love the sound of their own voice and who hide behind delusions of complexity when the world is crying out for simplicity - but you would expect me to say that wouldn’t you?

Posted by Trevor Gay at January 22, 2009 6:16 PM

This is a great post that echoes one by Eileen McDargh on Dumb Is The New Smart. Visitors can read it here: http://www.eileenmcdargh.com/blog/?p=266

Posted by Bonnie Davis at January 22, 2009 8:07 PM

Thank you, Bonnie. I'll read the article. But please let's not elevate dumbness. (I assume there is a brilliant turn to this "Dumb is the New Smart?") Seeking answers endlessly is very intelligent indeed. The title is not terribly attractive. But I'll read it. Thanks.

Posted by Judith Ellis at January 23, 2009 4:58 AM

Asking dumb questions is the behaviour

insane levels of curiosity is the mantra I live by

Posted by PaulH at January 23, 2009 1:29 PM

I like to research and think on my own before asking someone else to answer. Reputation matters and asking an ill-considered question may lasting negative impact. On the other hand, searching and questing for knowledge, wisdom, and understanding is important and good.

Posted by Greg at January 24, 2009 7:28 AM

From time to time I come across posts that are print worthy - this one fits that status. I am thinking this one deserves a special place on the wall of my cube - right next to my computer screen.

Thanks for the inspiration.

Posted by Mike at January 24, 2009 8:00 AM

I think we always underestimate how much other people like talking about their knowledge and how questioning and listening makes you look good (as well as the fact that you may learn something!) classic Carnegie stuff really

Posted by PaulH at January 25, 2009 7:13 AM