That’s A Great Question…
Posted by Ryan Geiger on May 21, 2010 · 2 Comments
I recently started following a blog by Rachel Held Evans based on a Re-Tweet (that’s something that people do when… never mind you wouldn’t understand if I have to explain it to you.) anyways the tweet caught my attention because it was about the college I attended Liberty University . Last week she had a post called, That’s A Good Question. Here is what she wrote up front: “Perhaps the most significant life lesson I’ve learned in my young adulthood is that knowing all the answers isn’t as important as asking good questions.”
I enjoyed that thought because as a young leader we want people to think we have all the answers when the truth is we don’t, we only have our answers. I have heard many leaders talk about the importance of asking good questions and then shutting up to actually listen to their response instead of doing what many young leaders do and try to give their opinion of the answer. I love to ask questions and I love to have others ask me questions. I think one of the best way to encourage someone is to ask them what their thoughts are? You would be surprised at how that can brighten somebody’s day.
I think this is a great reminder. Who are you listening to? What questions are you asking? Are you really listening? Are you willing to learn from anybody?
You can check out Rachel’s site here and check out a new book she has coming out in July called Evolving In Monkey Town.
Thanks for the kind shout-out, Ryan. I really appreciate that you applied this thought to leadership. I think sometimes leaders feel pressure to come up with all the answers – like it’s part of their responsibility. But I personally connect the most with leaders willing to wrestle through tough questions alongside of me and admit when they aren’t certain of the answers. My father is a really good example of this. Once as a child, I asked him why God allowed me to suffer from this severe skin allergy I was battling. He gently replied, “I don’t know. But I know that God loves you.” I’m convinced it was the most important “answer” he ever gave me.
Thanks again for the plug! We’d love to have more folks join the conversation over on the Monkey Town blog.
Great thoughts Rachel. We would connect because I never have the answers, I usually only have more questions. That is a great answer your dad gave and I’m glad to see that those of us who give a similar answer may actually still be helping others instead of leaving them without hope.