Which Question?
I love asking questions. The potential responses they open up, the responses themselves and the subsequent questions inspired by those responses give me such a buzz. I tell this to participants all the time, I'm a full bodied learner. On many occasions the buzz created within me by questions and responses becomes visible so others can see it as well. I wouldn't have it any other way!
"I never learn anything talking. I only learn things when I ask questions." - Lou Holtz
About a month ago a friend and I spent the weekend on the Royal Coast Walk, camping overnight at the picturesque North Era. It was all up about 30km walking over the two days, so there was plenty of time for questions and responses. We had great conversations around a number of areas but it was one particular question I asked my friend that's had me asking a lot of other people the same question since. 'What is the most important or valuable question that you ask yourself or others each day?'
“We live in worlds our questions create.” - David Cooperrider
I loved his response. It was a work related one for him, with its perceived simplicity getting me hooked straight away. My friend shared the potential gateway his question opens up to so many positive, connection filled and empowering thoughts, words and actions for their students that can follow because of it. Within lives an invitation to get playful, curious and engage with self, others and the world around them. I love the power of questions.
"Questions are the engines of intellect - the cerebral machines that convert energy to motion, and curiosity into controlled inquiry.” - David Hackett Fischer
It's been so much fun asking many people this question over the past month. There's been such a variety of responses, and a million subsequent questions arising from those responses. There have been some similarities of course, but mainly it's opened up for me a greater understanding of what uniquely makes each individual tick. It's such a privilege to listen. So what would your response be? There's no right or wrong, just an opportunity to reflect on what role questions play within your individual and shared journey of potential.
"If I had an hour to solve a problem and my life depended on the solution, I would spend the first 55 minutes determining the proper question to ask… for once I know the proper question, I could solve the problem in less than five minutes." - Albert Einstein