Why You Should Always Ask Questions
I have a question. Have you ever been in a situation where you wanted to ask a question, but hesitated? Did your failure to ask questions ever cause a problem, lead to a bigger problem or cause someone to lose trust/confidence in you?
In every facet of our lives, we have all been in situations where we needed to ask questions. Whether that was in a personal or professional environment, a casual or important situation, to a stranger or someone we know quite well…we have the urge and need to ask questions regularly. But, we may not always do so.
Why?
Fear of judgement? Fear of feeling unprepared or looking like we are not knowledgeable? Are we embarrassed to look less qualified or lost (especially if you are the one to fail to ask directions-related questions)? It can be for a lot of reasons, and our own experiences and confidences can all affect our ability to ask.
So, here are all the reasons you should drop that fear and ASK AWAY:
Asking Questions Avoids Problems
Let us pretend you are standing over a dangerous piece of machinery, with seconds ticking away…5…4…and you have no idea which wire to cut. You could ask your partner in crime who knows exactly which wire to cut or you could risk it all. Now, this is just a dramatic analogy to point out the obvious dangers of not asking questions (and I hope you would all ask you freaking partner for help). Asking questions avoids problems. Asking your supervisor questions about billing, your computer systems, and your clients, all avoids problems with charging clients incorrectly, inputting the wrong data, and embarrassing your company in front of others. This does not just exist within the office, it gets personal, too… Imagine you never ask your significant others, friends, and family questions that leave you so far out of their lives. YEAH, I got DEEP there! Get the answers you need to get your job done correctly, to be involved with people you care about…to not be lost or confused. Enough said?
2. Questions Show Eagerness
Going to a supervisor and showing the comfort and confidence to ask questions, shows eagerness and passion to do your job well and correctly. You never want to be the employee who shies away from asking questions out of fear. The problems you create from not asking questions have far greater potential losses than the slight embarrassment you feel of asking in the first place. Supervisors…you can ask questions, too (and you should). Showing your employees that you are eager to learn from them and hear their opinion creates great work relationships and teamwork among all levels of your organization. On a personal level, asking people about their lives, their interests, aspirations, etc. shows an eagerness to be involved. This is important for building and maintaining relationships. Don’t be the friend that just bores others with stories of your life and job (Yes, we know your life and your job and your cat and your car are great…what about my life). Ask questions and be interested in what people have to say.
3. Willingness to Listen & Learn
One of the earliest lessons I remember from my Undergraduate life, was the motto that we are all “life-long learners.” Even when we have made it big there is always so much to learn, and much of that learning comes from asking questions. Whether you are at work, in class or even at a home decor store trying to figure out how to put that damn night stand together…there are always opportunities to ask questions and learn something. Being open-minded to learning from others, and feeling confident enough to go out on a limb and ask for explanation, advice, instruction or example can be an incredibly valuable tool for you, whether you are the boss or the intern, the student or the professor, the customer or the sales representative. In Freshman year, my professor told us to commit to being life-long learners, because life would never be boring with the perspective that there was always something new to learn and explore. I could not agree more.
4. It is Always Okay to Ask for Help
Just like there is this weird awkwardness some people feel asking questions, there is this other weird hesitation we sometimes feel asking for help (why are humans so weird…let me try and fit the word weird one more time into this statement). Just as we should all feel comfortable asking questions wherever we may be, we should also feel comfortable asking for help. Whether that is asking for someone’s input, asking for advice in a sticky situation or simply getting an outside perspective, asking for help is never a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength, interest and eagerness to be great. Never shy away from asking for help, no matter what the situation is. The opportunities to learn and grow are endless. You might be lucky enough to gain a mentor or idol in the process.
When you walk in to your job or class, coffee shop or you hit the streets of New York City…wherever you may be tomorrow…I hope you can keep this in mind and learn the value of asking away. There is so much to be learned, so don’t hold back. Together, we can find a cure for the FOAQS (Fear of Asking Questions Syndrome).
Bean
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