The Tribune

One core principle of my public speaking programme is asking the right questions. If you are going to speak well you must think well. Thinking well produces clarity and understanding. This means you are asking who, what, when, where, why and or how, before you make any half-baked conclusions.

Indeed, asking the right questions is like a silver bullet for getting to the heart of real solutions.

Let’s consider the issue of anti-social behaviour. Even with the endless amount of time spent on the question of how to arrest anti-social behaviour, a solution remains elusive.

However, if we asked the question how to address the cause of anti-social behaviour that may be the right question and produce a more sustainable solution.

We are often quick to complain about the results we dislike, not realising that our results cannot improve until we question and address our cause factors.

Looking only at things on the surface leads to far-fetched conclusions that cannot withstand the light of day and become a recipe for frustration. Failing to ask the right question is like building your life house upon quicksand.

Another question for you to ponder as we come into this final quarter of 2016, what specific thing have you done so far that makes you feel empowered? A fitting question, considering the many resolutions made at the beginning of 2016.

Indeed, people pay little attention to the quality of the questions they ask. So anxious to find solutions, they miss the point. Until they ask the right questions, real solutions will remain out of reach.

The bottom line is, questions are so much more important than answers. Such questions, however, must be the right type of question. Of course, “right” is relative. You can begin by learning the difference between close-ended and open-ended questions. Well-placed open-ended questions stimulate thinking, generate insight and expand understanding.

When asking the right questions, it is critical to listen attentively. Active listening is another essential skill to develop. This is particularly true when working within a team to solve a problem.

Stating the problem without also identifying the cause of the problem makes finding a solution difficult. Most of the time what we think is the problem is usually just a symptom of the problem. This is a good place to ask some open-ended questions about the problem.

Perhaps you are facing some serious problems in your life. Be willing to look deeper at the issues you’re facing with a view of getting to the cause. You cannot solve any problem without asking the right questions about the cause of the problem.

Those who live an empowered life long recognised the power of asking the right questions.

The great Albert Einstein echoed this truth when he said: “If I had an hour to solve a problem and my life depended on the solution, I would spend the first 55 minutes determining the proper question to ask, for once I know the proper question, I could solve the problem in less than five minutes.”

These words from Einstein confirm the importance of today’s question. Leader to leader, your life is in your hands. You can actively solve your life problems by paying attention and asking questions.

When you ask the right questions, you build your confidence to live an empowered life.

What do you think? Please send your comments to coaching242@yahoo.com or 429-6770.

• Michelle M Miller is a certified life coach, communication and leadership expert. Visit www.michellemmiller.com; mail can be sent to PO Box CB-13060.