The under-rated power of questions
🗣 There is one language pattern that is singularly responsible for all human development. Do you know what it is?
It is the humble question.
I say humble only because the power of questions is often masked by the frequency with which we use them. And because there are a bunch of poor questions that are habituated into daily life.
From Ibn al-Haytham (credited as the first scientist) to Darwin and Hawkins, the question has been the one linguistic tool that has propelled all learning.
🧠 The superpower of questions lives in their ability to redirect attention, and this property can both trap and release you. If you have been coached before, you will know what a great question can do to both your current and future states.
⏰ Questions can even transport you back and forth in time. One of my favourite coaching questions is "If things were perfect tomorrow, how would they be different to today?".
High-performing people, no matter the context, have the success habit of asking questions, especially of themselves. Moreover, the questions they ask often are the right questions at the right time.
❓ How strong is your question repertoire?
❓ Are there questions you use that hold you, or others back?
❓ What is your favourite question?