Great Questions Part 1

October 8, 2018

By Robert Pope

I love great questions! Questions are asked for many different reasons.

1. Curiosity

2. Desire to learn

3. Teaching

4. Desire to help effectively

Those are just four examples of reasons that people ask questions. I’m sure there are many more. Today, I will concentrate on #4 the “desire to help effectively”.

Our second oldest son, Trevor, and I have been planning a trip for about a year. The day finally arrived last month, and we were super excited about heading out over the Atlantic together. Just before the trip, I was hit with a bad cold. The timing was terrible. After all of the planning and coordination that was required to make this happen, I was determined to not let this stop us. Therefore, I was that guy that no one wants on their flight.

Within a few days the cold symptoms improved but then it turned into the (tickling) coughing stage and it would not stop. We were driving along wondering what to do Trevor was highly motivated by this point since he was with me 24 x 7 and the cough was incessant, so he found a village pharmacy to seek out some help.

Walking into the pharmacy, I found Ramona the pharmacist in her classic white uniform coat. Ramona asked great questions! As I told her about the symptoms, her approach was doctor-like. I was amazed. Her English was excellent and she asked thoughtful questions about the symptoms I was experiencing. There was no rush to the process, and I sensed that she had a genuine desire to help solve the problem. And solve it she did.

It wasn’t just that she asked effective questions, it was also the way in which she asked them. Technology is enabling machines to ask us the right questions. If, however, we lose the ability to connect and relate to people, we have lost a lot.

Lorie told me many years ago that my approach to asking questions made people feel like I was grilling them. Thankfully, that has changed considerably.

As you go about your work this week, seek to ask great questions. And think about the way that you ask those questions. People are still people. Be a Ramona and ask those questions in a way that not only relates to the facts but also to the heart. Your co-workers and clients will notice the difference and appreciate it greatly.