Everyone runs into a situation where they have to ask questions. Sometimes, the question may be simplistic and you may feel like it’s pointless to ask. Many people have what they believe to be “stupid” questions. But the thing to think about is this: were you paying attention?
I believe that there is no such thing as a legitimate question. We all run into problems that we don’t know how to solve, and it’s always better to ask how to fix it than to screw it up. Many times, we feel like we should know the answer; but maybe we have never asked the right question. The only way to get the information you need is to 1) ask questions, and 2) listen.
Listening is key in this. If you’re asking the same question multiple times because you’re not paying attention, that’s a problem. Doing so is a waste of time for everyone involved. Plus, you’re not learning anything. You’re skating through using someone else, and that’s not fair to them. So when you ask a question or are given information, make sure that you’re listening. Jot down notes if needed. For me, there’s a lot of information that I need to have on hand at any given moment. Some of it is not used on a regular basis, so I’m bound to forget. To solve that problem, I created my own handbook of everything I need in order to do my job.
We also need to make sure that we’re using our own problem solving skills to try and find a solution. Use what information you do have to try and fix the problem. Use context clues – and your notes – to see where the problem lies. If you still can’t figure it out, then yes, go ask someone for help. But don’t rely on others just because you hit one roadblock.
There’s no such thing as a stupid question. There is, however, such thing as a lazy question. Don’t be lazy. Get your facts together, find your notes, and try to solve the issue. If you’ve exhausted all of your options and still can’t jump that hurdle, don’t be afraid to ask. Just know that your knowledge of the situation may be tested.
