top of page

The Power of Curiosity: Why Questions Sometimes Matter More Than Answers

Writer's picture: Laura Hope GoldstoneLaura Hope Goldstone

Voltaire is quoted as having said: "Judge a person by his questions rather than by his answers." In other words, answers are informative, but questions are, too--sometimes more so.


I'm not sure who needs to hear this, but you don't have to know everything. No one does.


Thankfully, being curious and asking effective questions are valuable and rare skills that can make a deep impact on your work.


Why questions are important:

  • The right questions can bring about the right answers. Asking a good question can put you or your team on the right path toward success.

  • Questions can clarify assumptions. You may think you know something, but you won't know for sure unless you ask a clarifying question. Without asking questions, there is a chance you will operate on assumptions that could be incorrect or even harmful. Questions bring clarity to the situation.

  • Questions can diminish conflict. If you are in a situation where someone says something you disagree with, asking a question about how they arrived at that concept may help relieve some tension and convey to the other person that even if you don't agree, you respect their opinion and are interested in hearing more.

  • Questions help you deepen your range of perspectives and promote diversity of thought. When you ask a question, the answer is likely something you haven't considered yet, allowing you to see another viewpoint than had you stayed "in your own head."


Questions are powerful communication devices that can unlock new opportunities and perspectives. They can also convey certain things about you more clearly than had you not asked.


We need to unlearn the erroneous assumption that asking questions makes us look dumb. Asking questions can make us look strategic, collaborative, empathetic, resourceful, motivated, self-aware, goal-oriented, action-minded, process-driven, and so much more.


What asking the right questions indicates:

  1. You're strategically aligned (you know what's important)

  2. You know what you're looking for (you know the goal)

  3. You know where you've been (otherwise you wouldn't ask something you know)

  4. You're interested in getting to the next step (you want to identify gaps and fill them)

  5. You know you have more to learn (conveying humility and self-awareness)

  6. You actually want to learn (conveying motivation)

  7. You value the other person's opinion (exhibiting an interest in collaboration and diversity of thought)


Curiosity is an invaluable skill to hone. Don't assume that asking questions isn't helpful. It nearly always is.


Plus, if you're wondering about something, someone else in the room might be, too. Take it upon yourself to ask the question so that the room can hear the answer, benefiting everyone as a result.



The power of curiosity is greater than you think. Questions are important, and they reveal more about us than we know. Learn more here.

Exercise: The next time you are in a meeting, vow to ask at least one question. You can ask someone to clarify something, or you can paraphrase a concept and ask if your assessment was accurate, or you can someone's opinion, or you can ask if something you're considering would be strategically aligned...the possibilities are endless. Commit to asking just one question in your next meeting and see what powers you unlock.


17 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Opmerkingen


©2020-2024 Storyhaven by Laura Goldstone.

bottom of page