Whether learning something new or completing an assigned task there is no such thing as a dumb question.

Chances are, if you are unsure and left to make assumptions that were supposedly understood, others are as well. Don't let uncertainty lead to poor decisions because the proper information was not first gathered.

Clear requirements, clear understanding, clear objectives, lead to clear learning, work, and progress.

Too often we are consumed with how our actions will be seen and others perception of us. We make the assumption everyone else understood and don't want to look like the idiot in the room. But what if everyone had the same thought?

This compliments Lesson #7: "Be confident in what you know, but know what you don't know."

If we are confident in ourselves and our own understanding, then why not ask the question if only to ensure your assumptions are correct? If anything it will build trust for you in others. It will show that you aren't trying to be something you're not and with that comes respect.

Jocko Willink speaks to this in his book Extreme Ownership. In Chapter 3: Believe, he discusses a time he was consulting for a business. The CEO had released a new compensation plan that the midlevel managers didn't agree with. The managers couldn't understand why their leadership would release a plan, that in their eyes, would drive people away from the company.

Jocko as a simple question: "Why do you think they are implementing this plan? . . . Has anyone asked?"

The combined response was 'no', with one manager saying, "I'd feel pretty stupid asking. Our CEO is smart and has a lot of experience. She gets the business."

In this case, there was an assumption made by the CEO that the plan was explained well enough since there were no questions. In addition, there were assumptions made by the managers that everyone else understood, so I wasn't going to be the one that looked stupid.

At the end of the day, would anyone be successful in this scenario?

Ask questions. Ensure you have a clear understanding of your objective even if it means asking a question that can be perceived as "dumb". However, make sure you do not ask the same question twice.

#lessonsformychildren

#bepresent #BeIntentional #theintentionalfather