August 25, 2021
|
Author: Karl Schoemer
Why? Why do we do it that way? Why can’t we try this? Why is that important? Why don’t we do this instead? Why? Why? Why?
Voltaire said, “Judge a man by the quality of his questions, not the quality of his answers.”
Asking questions is an integral part of FutureTense performance. Look closely and critically at what you do and how you do it. Look closely at every task, every process, every day. Asking “why” with improvement for the customer in mind is critical. All effort and inquiry must be focused on the customer.
But, there’s even more rationale for being an inquisitor: Asking to understand. Do you think asking a question makes you look dumb? That’s past tense thinking. Do you think if you ask for clarification, it means you weren’t listening or are slow? Past tense. Think you’re the only one who doesn’t understand because no one else asked? Past tense.
Things are moving too fast these days for you to have all the answers. They are moving too fast for any one person to have all the answers. The willingness to inquire is at the heart of a sound FutureTense strategy.
Some suggestions: