The Power of a Question

In the times we live in there are plenty of people talking.  Plenty of people are even screaming.  It seems we have become people that only want to be heard.  We listen at times, but usually just so that we have something to say next.  As a kid I asked questions.  How things work and how people knew that they worked has always fascinated me.  It is something that has stuck with me my entire life.

When I was in college I had questions like crazy.  If I was going to be a pastor the rest of my life I wanted to learn all that I could about how to do that in the best way possible.  Asking questions got me into trouble in college.  I had two professors tell me I could not ask any more questions in class.  I am thinking maybe my questions were bad or insulting.  No telling at that point in my life.  I was just curious how this all worked.  Little did I know that doing this for a living only created more questions than answers. 

I used to be mad at myself that I had so many questions.  Why could I not just be content with what I knew at that moment?  Now though at the age of 54 I realize that my curiosity and questions have served me better than anything else in my life.  At the age of 27 was the first time I heard a leader named John Maxwell teach on questions and curiosity.  It started me down a path of learning I did not expect.  For the last 27 years I have listened to him talk about the power of questions.  He believes in it so much that he wrote a book called “Great Leaders Ask Great Questions.”  He even listed the questions he asks whenever he meets with anyone. 

  1. What is the greatest lesson you have learned? By asking this question I seek their wisdom.
  2. What are you learning now? This question allows me to benefit from their passion.
  3. How has failure shaped your life? This question gives insight into their attitude.
  4. Who do you know whom I should know? This allows me to engage with their network.
  5. What have you read that I should read? This question directs my personal growth.
  6. What have you done that I should do? This helps me seek new experiences.
  7. How can I add value to you? This shows my gratitude and desire to add value to them.

I have used these questions to push some of my own conversations with people.  Most of all I just ask questions and listen to the answers people give.  We all need to stop and ask questions, but be sure to listen for the answer.  Many times we listen to just have something to say back.  What if we asked questions to understand instead of trying to prove a point? 

There is a verse in the Bible that I really like.  In Proverbs 20:5 the Bible says, “Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.”  That is the true power of a question.  We all meet people who know something or someone we do not know.  To take the time to draw that water from a person’s wisdom and soul is a special gift.  It is simply to ask questions and listen. 

What could our country and we as individuals learn if we sat and asked questions with a heart to understand and learn from each other?  So many of the problems we have as a country could be worked through if we took the time to listen to each other, rather than trying to shout each other down.  Questions can change our lives.  What if we make it a priority to ask questions we might actually be surprised at what we learn?