As I sat in my routine hot bath listening to an episode on the Huberman Podcast about The Neuroscience of Speech, Language, and Music, I realized how good of a conversationalist and podcast host Huberman is given his intellect and knowledge but in particular his ability and skill to ask questions. I would say this goes for any successful podcast, podcast hosts in general are great conversationalists and know how to use the power of questions.
I on the other hand after doing a bit of introspection and self reflection have come to the conclusion that I don't ask enough questions and don't efficiently utilize the skill of asking questions either to enhance my learning or to engage in effective conversation that goes beyond, "Hey, how are you?", "I'm good and you?", "I'm doing well, thanks!", ".......", ".........", "Okay well nice talking to you!".
Plus maybe it's just me, but I feel as a whole we don't encourage asking questions enough and don't learn nor practice it enough. In school it was always unidirectional, in that the teacher would lecture and then ask us questions to gauge whether or not we were listening and to test our retention, and then maybe at the end the teacher would ask us if we had any questions with 5 minutes left of class.
Anyways, I feel for me personally that I can improve my life by learning how to use the power of questions. It's a skill I have not put much thought into as my focus has always been on trying to provide the answers or conjuring up the right response, but as I've experienced, if both sides of a conversation are only looking to provide answers and are not actively thinking to ask engaging and thought provoking questions then the conversation can go stale and stagnate real quick.
Do stackers feel the same way in that they could improve their overall use of questions? Do you think asking meaningful questions is indeed a skill that needs practice?
Basically, the power of questions deals with the objective of creating curiosity. If you want to develop curiosity in someone or in yourself, you should start asking questions with all 'why, when, where, How'. This Is the way to develop your congnitive confidence.
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Great point, thank you!
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27 sats \ 1 reply \ @wingalt 6 Jul
Leadership is about asking good questions, it also makes you listen so definitely a skill to master to stand out
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Indeed, I will continue to work towards mastering the skill!
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Not only more practice but requires mastery if you want to get a lot info without selling your own. "The Art of Asking Questions" (Terry J. Fadem) comes to mind. I know some good lawyers that can get away with almost anything: " Have you stop beating your dog?" Yes/No If you answer Yes, you are not beating him now, but you used to. If you answer NO, well admission of guilt. Indeed, it is very valuable skill to have, no doubt.
and also for entertaining purposes, who can't remember the famous "trick question" from My Cousin Vinny? lol "'Chevy didn't make a 327 in '55. The 327 didn't come out til '62. And it wasn't offered in the Bellaire with the 4-barrel carburetor til '64. However, in 1964 the correct ignition timing would be 4 degrees before top dead center."
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Many of us leaders and individuals are talkers/doers. I think it takes next level leadership to be able to slow down and consistently ask questions. Giving people undivided attention after asking a question will be remembered by the other party.
Also many of us still need to learn, and to do that is to ask questions and listen. I think everyone could always work towards improving their questions - and make them more directional/open ended depending on the target audience.
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More questions lead to more confusion andore confusion leads to more clarity. Of course, Questioning needs to be promoted as skill.
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Good way of putting it! Thanks!
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10 sats \ 1 reply \ @Roll 5 Jul
As we all heard once:
"To be or not to be , that is the Question"
:)
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Simple and sweet, yet so powerful!
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10 sats \ 1 reply \ @Akg10s33 5 Jul
Since I emigrated here to Lima, Peru 7 years ago, I have always been dedicated to street sales, whether door-to-door or getting on the bus to offer cell phone accessories... and working with an audience like the one here where it is a little, I would say a lot, being able to break the ice when it comes to offering or selling something to people... asking questions is my strength because that way I can get their attention... I can start a conversation... and also this way I can achieve the sales... in this capital the pace of life is super intense and everyone is running in the mornings so as not to be late and taking a moment of their attention is not simple... and every time I can he helped me with the questions asked correctly...
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Thank you for your insight! Seems to be an incredible asset for you, so I am motivated to become better at it!
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Didnt Huberman have a scandal recently?
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37 sats \ 1 reply \ @wingalt 6 Jul
Looks like it is becoming a crime to date women these days, well some people are getting upset about his success giving non conventional (and free) health advice hence that bad piece of journalism. The level of his podcast has gone down a bit because he wants a bigger audience and please advertisers but that's not a crime either
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He has always had an interesting method. I always thought he was interesting because he is a big smoker, heavy coffee drinker, and has a massive amount of tattoos. He is so different from the foo foo boys that usually podcast.
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i feel asking meaningful questions helps you adapt your approach based on the situation and the audience
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This is something I picked up when I was younger and I'm really grateful to those who imparted the lesson.
Conversations are much more satisfying when you're trying to understand and learn, rather than impress and win.
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Without a doubt!
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Absolutely, the art of asking meaningful questions is crucial for deeper engagement and learning. Many of us could benefit from honing this skill, as it fosters more dynamic and thoughtful conversations.
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Being able to improve our communication with other people is sometimes a very complete process, I have always known people who play the role of interlocutor rather than listener, focusing on only expressing what they feel and forgetting that communication is a constant feedback.
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Yes, good conversation requires balance as well as learning when to speak and when to listen.
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10 sats \ 0 replies \ @NRS 4 Jul
In the educational process, the skill of asking questions should always be foundational. It contributes to deepening understanding and enhancing processes of thinking and learning.
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The older I get the more I choose to ask questions instead of pretending I know anything at all.
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stackers have outlawed this. turn on wild west mode in your /settings to see outlawed content.