Stupid Questions: Are there really any?

Welcome to the Quick Take podcast, the show where you get targeted advice and coaching for executives by executives. I'm Suzy Tominczuk.

And I'm James Capps. Give us 15 minutes and we'll give you three secrets to address the complex topic of issues that are challenging executives like you today.

Welcome to Quick Take, where we talk about the things that are on the minds of executives everywhere. I'm Suzy and this is James. So, james, has anybody come up to you about Quick Take and talking about?

it. Yeah, it's so funny I wanted to start with that today that I was at an event the other day, a leadership team event here in Denver for the technology groups, And a couple guys came up to me and said hey, we love your podcast. Me and my team were all Quicksters And I'm like what? Yeah, we're Quicksters, We like to wireless into your show. I'm like, oh right, I like that. So there's a shout out to all you Quicksters out there who are listening to our program And thanks for listening.

Oh my gosh, I love that A whole persona we have following us.

I know I can see t-shirts and banners and you know I love it.

A t-shirt. We're making them. We're making them.

We will get them Absolutely. They'll be available, all right.

So, as I often do, i'm going to tell you about a conversation I had yesterday. I'm working with a new leader who, oh, i really like him, high potential, like so self-aware, really wants to work with me. Because he's like I need somebody to help me get there, which I'm like, okay, i can't wait to work with you. So I made him say like where he's headed He wants to be a VP down the road And so we talked a little bit about his personality and what impressions he's made within the organization, because it's all about who knows you.

Because he wants to be thought about, somebody that they pick from the list, you know, whether it's doing interviews or speaking at something. You know he wants to start being seen, but he's an introvert, and so he said it takes a little bit of time to get to know him. So we were talking about those first impressions and the meetings that he's going to start being in, not taking them lightly, and the whole idea about asking stupid questions and getting that in your head. I mean, i have to be honest, james, sometimes I think, oh my gosh, i'm so glad I'm not there in my career because, like, having to think about those things.

I don't want to ask a stupid question, but it's real Like depending on who you're in the room with, it can feel very intimidating, and I feel that way sometimes too even still, but so what do you think? Can we talk about that?

That's a fun topic, you know, and I think the first place we have to start is that you know that great phrase, you know there are no stupid questions. And let's just be polite and say, actually, that's not true. There are stupid questions, just like there are stupid answers, which I think we're going to do another episode on that topic coming up soon But the truth is is yeah, the reality is is you know, the way that you ask questions is part of your brand, part of the way you show up, and the truth of the matter is they're very important And you know, simply, you know we're going to talk about a couple of ways that you can really think that through, but it is important for you to consider and give some thought to how you answer questions and how, you excuse me, how you ask questions as a part of your role and the way that you like this guy saying you know, look at how this person shows up.

Yeah, and you know I understand the sentiment to get people to feel open to it. I get that. but you can ask a question that leaves an impression, even with somebody that's around, that you're kind of like how did that person ask that question? Like was he not paying attention or does he not understand the business enough? Like it is something that, oh, I hate to say that because I don't want to stifle people, but let's be thoughtful, Give us some tips.

Well, and I think the first one is exactly a perfect way to build on top of that right. Like if you're in a meeting and perhaps you are with a bunch of people that you are really interested in showing that you are, you know you're present, you know what's going on And you want to ask a question, everyone be prepared. It's really that simple. Go in there with some questions. You know what the meeting topic typically is. You can go in with some questions that are relevant and probably inquisitor, and I think it's complicated too because you don't want to get into a question that is over. You know you don't want to get to a broader question that's somewhat off topic And you do want to make it sound like it applies. But you can go in and ask and prepare yourself with some questions that are going to be appropriate for that meeting. And I will say that if you don't know what that meeting is going to be and you aren't sure whether or not your prep will be worthwhile, then maybe you shouldn't be asking a question, right.

If you're uncomfortable, if you can't be prepared then really you want to be more thoughtful about whether you're going to ask a question or not. So I think, just be prepared, try to do something in advance, and I also think you know I think it's also important to ensure that you can find a way to ask a question. I think we and I have talked about this in the past. You know, if at the end, leader is done speaking, it does show a great deal of respect and attention to detail and attention to what's going on if there is a question asked. So I would encourage you to try to jot down some questions during a presentation, during a conversation. So there is a question, and I think that's super important.

Yeah, And also like when you do that, here's a secret tip too is do it from earlier in the presentation. Oh, great advice, don't just take it from like the very last slide, because that really shows that you like tie it together somehow.

Right, and I'd like to go back to where we started with that topic in X, y and Z. That's a really great way to really highlight, you know, what's going on, so I think that's a really great piece of advice.

Yeah, and I have one more thing Yeah, it also like tie it to something like at the end, when you're going to say say, hey, this was really good. This made me really be thoughtful about this But. I do have a question.

Right, right. And I think that's a great segue into the second one, which is don't ask a question for the sake of asking a question. Either Right, and so often and we've all been in that room where somebody asks a question just to hear themselves talk, or they don't have a question, they have an answer.

Yeah.

What are you doing? You know, are you just you? do you want to get up or something like? don't be doing that, right? Either ask a question or keep your mouth shut. There's a time and place for everything, and there's really nothing worse than somebody asked a question for the sake of speaking or for the sake of asking a really meaningless question.

Yeah, that's so good, yeah, and it's so annoying. That's an impression too.

It leaves an impression And I think if you're really trying to get out there and try to really make a name for yourself, that's as bad as anything is just asking a question. that has no problem.

Yeah, i love that. All right, what's the third one?

Well, the third one is I think you really need to get educated, right. If there is no such thing as a stupid question, Well, the best questions are the well informed, well educated questions that are on topic, And I think that so often you know you forget how hard it is to really engage with a topic when you don't have the information. You know, having started a new job several times, those first few meetings you go to you don't even know what's going on. You can't even you don't even know who that person is And you're still at a loss where to ask, what kind of questions to ask. You get more mature in the topic. Those questions come naturally And that comes just through being an inquisitive learner, being informed and really being on top of your game. So it's always really important for you to make sure that you're asking good questions is to stay abreast of what's going on and whether it's an adjacency or what's going on with that topic, And I think you know that's just good advice all around as a leader.

Yeah, i think so too. It made me think of you know for your number two about don't ask a question unless you're ready, like you said, seasonality into your career really allows you that you know perspective and in your scene in that at that table, whether you are kind of, you earned the questioning or not, So be careful. like where you are in that, but If you're not asking a question, watch other people and what questions they asked Like.

take the time to really learn from others around you, right, right, you know, i think that to take it maybe one step up, the point of asking a question in a meeting is really to well, you should ask yourself why are you asking questions? I think questions in a meeting like that are for problem solving. They are to identify detail further, to create more understanding of you and the other people in the room. If you're asking a question simply to show that you know what's going on or simply to catch somebody in something, those questions and those situations are going to be self-evident. People are going to see it for what they are. You're in a room with smart people. People understand politics, like. At the end of the day, the purpose of your question should be done with good intent, and those are often going to be the ones that build. You know you are there to build the conversation and further the knowledge of the group, and so you know that's probably the most important thing to remember that your question should be founded in the right reasons.

So I know this was probably something we should have covered at the beginning. But when we think about, what are we talking about, like, are we talking about a project meeting? Is it defined as when it's a senior leader that's doing a presentation? Like, let's kind of talk about what meetings are we talking about? that could be politically charged.

You know, I think the questions, that, the type of questions that I'm referring to in it in my mental picture here was, you know, a presentation that is formal And somebody at the end says are there any questions?

Okay this isn't a meeting where you're all working around the table and you're trying to get something going and you don't really understand, and it's just a back and forth and there's a dialogue. You know that should be free flowing, that should be comfortable, you should be, and in that case maybe there are no stupid questions. You can literally say I don't know what's going on. I was asleep for five minutes. Can somebody get me up to speed? And I was on the phone. Whatever, help me, help you. That's not what I'm talking about here. I'm talking about a formal environment where there is a Q&A, where there is a microphone, where there perhaps is a pause or somebody's sending in questions in advance. You know it's an actual formal questioning situation. I think in those scenarios, these three pieces of advice are something that you should really consider more casually.

I think it's a different game. Okay, so it wasn't a bad question for me to ask No great question.

That was a very good question, see, and it was not prepared, but I think it was based in your educated thinking prior to, so you did it well.

I think Quikster's already know me well enough, so I'm not worried about the impression I'm giving.

You know, I ask stupid questions and I let it lie. That's anyhow let's wrap it up. Thank you for joining us.

James give us a recap on the top three.

Really quick one. Be prepared. Go in advance, have some questions ready to go. That way you have some forethought. That's great for introverts, who often needs a little more processing time. Have a question. Number two don't ask a question for the sake of asking a question. You know the questions should be to further the discussion, not to show that you're in the room. And three be educated. You know. Make sure that you're on topic and you understand what's going on in these areas, because you want your question to be well-informed and intelligent.

All right, so thank you. We're both on LinkedIn and we would love to hear from you. Ask us any questions, connect with us, tell us what's on your mind. We would just appreciate that, because we appreciate you, and if you feel like this episode would help somebody else, share it with somebody.

Please do absolutely.

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