Ask That Question!

Picture this: you're in yet another internal conference call, your screen filled with colleagues' faces and an array of PowerPoint slides. While the topic is genuinely interesting, you are feeling confused as the speaker does not make sense to you. Is this just you not understanding the context while others do? Do you dare to hit that unmute button and interrupt the speaker, seeking clarity in front of everyone? Or do you stay silent and protect yourself from potentially looking ignorant?

As you wrestle with this decision inside your head , someone else takes the plunge, asks the question that's been lingering on your mind, and does so with grace and politeness. Suddenly, the evidence is there that you were not alone with your confusion. Your respect for this courageous colleague skyrockets, as he or she embodies traits such as authenticity, honesty, directness, confidence, and genuine interest. Others would feel the same about you, if you just would have done what your gut first told you and asked that question. 

It’s the questions we make, where, when and how, that truly manifest our character.