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June 6, 2007 - Q2.1 @ CanalWay
The Importance of Questions
A Discussion Quick-Recap
A group gathered at CanalWay Center in Cuyahoga Heights to come together and ponder not only “the questions we should be asking”,
but, the whole idea of a “question” itself.
The event’s purpose was to “take the time to think” – break away – and think anew.
Mother Nature granted a perfect day for outdoor conversation
What was discussed?
• Permission slips: We all need to give ourselves “permission slips”… to take time – to think – to be vulnerable.
• What do people ask you?
• What’s a question anyway?
• Some of the most important, meaningful progress in the course of human history began with simple, deep, courageous questions.
• Sometimes, the “product” of communication is in the process itself …not simply the outcomes & associated metrics.
• One of the, if not the, most powerful question of them all is; “Why?” A two-year-old’s proverb. Brilliant in its simplicity.
• A Tool: The “Try-Y” technique: When someone issues you a statement, diplomatically delivery 3 installments of “Why?” See how it
affects the conversation & its outcome.
• What’s needed, in general, in our region?
• A thought submitted: In 2030, today’s 12 year olds will be 35. It takes decades to create cultural and infrastructures changes – why aren’
t we asking the 12 years old what they would like Cleveland to be? They have to live with it!
• Children have wisdom – probably stemming from their lack of fear.
• A biracial child asks, “Am I black or white?” … but only after someone else ‘taught’ him or her to question it – to ‘label’ her/himself.
• Einstein suggested that it’s not a matter of whether one’s asking the right question – but rather, it’s a matter of asking the question in the
right way.
• Book recommendation: Socrates Café
The Importance of Questions
A Discussion Quick-Recap
A group gathered at CanalWay Center in Cuyahoga Heights to come together and ponder not only “the questions we should be asking”,
but, the whole idea of a “question” itself.
The event’s purpose was to “take the time to think” – break away – and think anew.
Mother Nature granted a perfect day for outdoor conversation
What was discussed?
• Permission slips: We all need to give ourselves “permission slips”… to take time – to think – to be vulnerable.
• What do people ask you?
• What’s a question anyway?
- o A seek for information – it’s a search
o It’s a display of lack of knowledge. A need for knowledge
o It’s a crossing of a boundary between the known and the unknown
o An attempt to define choices
o An opportunity to gain knowledge, insight & confirmation
o May be more important than the “answer”
o Asking questions is risk-taking
- o We assert that it’s not just asking a question… it’s asking an authentic question, demonstrating genuine interest.
o It’s an investment.
o It doesn’t intimidate, show-up or trip-up
o In authenticity lies the power of the question
o A question that is simple and to the point. Clarity.
o It’s simply asked – and yet has depth of thought
o A question that lead to another question
- o A safe place for big topics
o A dose of fun along the way
- o They’re a form of “giving”
o They can be powerful “what-ifs”
o They begin a dialogue-process and set its course
- o Fear of judgment
o Fear of looking “stupid”
- o Give permission to people to “be stupid”
o Allow for the “small” question to have just as much value as the “big” question. A big question is fully formed. A small question
requires collaboration (how does one define “big” and “small” in the realm of questions?)
o Get in the habit of asking insightful asking questions
• Some of the most important, meaningful progress in the course of human history began with simple, deep, courageous questions.
• Sometimes, the “product” of communication is in the process itself …not simply the outcomes & associated metrics.
• One of the, if not the, most powerful question of them all is; “Why?” A two-year-old’s proverb. Brilliant in its simplicity.
• A Tool: The “Try-Y” technique: When someone issues you a statement, diplomatically delivery 3 installments of “Why?” See how it
affects the conversation & its outcome.
• What’s needed, in general, in our region?
- o Social capital
o Social networks
o The intersection of the above
• A thought submitted: In 2030, today’s 12 year olds will be 35. It takes decades to create cultural and infrastructures changes – why aren’
t we asking the 12 years old what they would like Cleveland to be? They have to live with it!
• Children have wisdom – probably stemming from their lack of fear.
• A biracial child asks, “Am I black or white?” … but only after someone else ‘taught’ him or her to question it – to ‘label’ her/himself.
• Einstein suggested that it’s not a matter of whether one’s asking the right question – but rather, it’s a matter of asking the question in the
right way.
• Book recommendation: Socrates Café
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