One of my two year-old son’s new words is "why?" While it can be trying at times as a parent to respond to his many questions, his curiosity about his world help me look at things in a new way. Why is it time for dinner? Why do we put money in the bank?
As Big Bird of Sesame Street says, asking questions is a good way of finding things out.
My son’s questions make me wonder where our curiosity goes as
adults. This isn’t the first time I’ve thought about this. Many years
ago, I taught outdoor education at a summer camp. Young kids are
natural scientists, curious about why things in nature work as they do
– "why is the sky blue?" So why aren’t more adults curious about
nature? Why is science an often-loathed topic later on in school?
Children are eager to learn and explore – it’s one of their jobs.
In guiding children through life, one of the jobs of adults should be
to help children maintain their natural curiosity. What might the
world be like if more people were willing to ask questions about their
surroundings?
Part of what I love about being a coach is that curiosity is an
essential part of the process. Rather than assuming that I know what’s
behind someone’s words or actions, I get curious and ask questions.
Remember, asking questions is a good way of finding things out!
This week, what are you curious about?
How does your curiosity help you make a difference?
Before specializing as a professional coach in 2004, I spent more than a decade in leadership, management and program development for state and local government and non-profit organizations. Now I get to help leaders and teams have more clarity and ability to stand up for what's important in their work and in their organizations. Working with me, leaders and teams find more meaning and purpose, feel happier and more confident, navigate change and conflict, and work together better.
Why is the sky blue???
Love the questions – even Troy’s! I’ve found I’ve learned so much more when I ask questions rather than telling what I know (which is less than I think!).
My coach shared an acronym with me which is also a question – it seems appropriate here. When in a conversation situation, I always try to stop and WAIT (and ask myself Why Am I Talking?). It’s given me lots of chances to stop talking and start listening. And to ask more questions!
Thanks for the reminder!
Troy, Jodee – thanks for coming by, and for adding to the discussion.
And just to walk the talk – Troy, why do YOU think the sky is blue?
Jodee – thanks for the reminders too. The WAIT acronym is powerful – thanks for sharing. I’ve always found that the “answer” for someone else is rarely anything I could have come up with – people’s own resourcefulness is powerful and amazing!