Please share your experiences as you work with dumb or powerful questions.
Let us know about your feelings as you frame the questions-- for example, what is the role of the VOJ? How about the reaction? Did you get your answer and maybe more?
You can even try questions with strangers-- so long as you genuinely want to know the answer. Many of us REALLY like to share of knowledge if someone asks and is interested...
What have you found?
LEADERSHIP--
We covered a lot of material about leadership and we encourage you to share any reactions or questions that were stimulated.
Any thoughts and observations about:
++ Management Mindsets
++ Emotional Intelligence
++ Aesthetic Intelligence
++ Intergrative Thinking
Which of the ideas seem like they will be useful for you now and in the future?
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ReplyDeleteMy observation about emotional intelligence is that it reminds us that we are human. Yes, there are standards of how to behave or perform in a business environment; management styles and standards that are followed; yet, ultimately, it is just as important to create an environment that acknowledges our human nature, our need to be appreciated, and the reality that we all have many distractions outside of work. If we can inspire our team members towards a common vision, despite all the human elements going on, we will ultimately achieve our goals versus work environments that do try pretend that these human tendencies do not exist. This is why so many people I know, who are incredibly creative and talented, seem to be unhappy in their work. The environment does not address this emotional 'human' component, in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteRoto Rooter to the rescue! I thought I wouldn’t get the chance to really practice this week’s “live with” (see next paragraph as to why) until I was faced this morning with having to deal with a backed-up drain. Once Jim the technician arrived at the house, I told him that I would have a lot of dumb questions, not thinking of the “live with” at that point. After he assessed the problem and I asked questions – out of true curiosity – as to how he came to the conclusion, I then asked (with the same genuine curiosity) that if the problem was that small why I couldn’t just use Draino. Maybe it sounded like a leading question, or maybe I should have framed the question differently or had a better tone (although I thought I had both) because Jim was visibly upset with my question. If I were his boss (and because I’m in marketing), I would have thanked me for that question because, after I have reflected on it, it was the perfect set-up question for him to tell me about the company’s value proposition. I’m guessing that, for a second, he was too concerned about a “wasted house call” and the affect it would have on his stats for the day. He eventually came around and really answered the question… end result, he walked away with a check and I have a running drain!
ReplyDeleteI don’t feel comfortable practicing this with my boss and his direct reports (we have a number of calls where I could do this but I’m relatively too new to the group and I don’t observe others doing this very often). And the current agenda items that my reporting team is working on right now don’t really call for this approach.
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ReplyDeleteI find that when I'm interacting with customers at work, I'm often afraid to ask what they may consider to be a dumb question. I don't want them to judge me for asking those questions, so I often will avoid asking certain things. I was at a conference for work this past week and met a number of past, current and prospective customers so I had the perfect opportunity to practice asking "dumb" questions. These questions enabled me to learn so much - instead of being afraid how people would react, I was able to truly learn from them. I gained insight that I would not have otherwise had.
ReplyDeleteIgnoring my VOJ when it came to asking these questions was quite difficult. I didn't want anyone to think lesser of me and I want to make sure that people continue to take me seriously. The first day that I tried this live-with, these were substantial inhibitors. I started with a customer that I was more comfortable with. Asking the question allowed me to get to better understand that customer and made him more comfortable asking me what he might have though was a "dumb" question. By asking these questions of others, it seems to make some more comfortable doing the same.
In an effort to try to tie some of these concepts together, I've made the following observations about the connection between VOJ and management styles. I recall a time when I worked for a large software company where the CEO exhibited what I now understand to be defined as "coercive" style management. This management style created absolute terror during large management meetings. I remember having lots of questions but never opening my mouth to ask them. My VOJ was very loud. Since then, I've worked at organizations where I experienced "authoritative" style management and recall experiencing a greater sense of creativity, openness and a softer VOJ. Having the ability to now define these different work experiences using the management terms we've been discussing is providing great clarity for me. It's giving me a better understanding of how I can become a better manager myself moving forward.
ReplyDeleteRegarding asking dumb questions over the course of the past week, I've been walking up to strangers and finally asking them the question that usually sits in the back of my mind and goes unanswered. I've had several fascinating conversations as a result of remembering to activate the "ask dumb questions" behavior.
I had an interesting experience with three clients last week with regard to multi-tasking … rather, NOT multi-tasking!
ReplyDeleteEach had asked me about the Creativity & Leadership class and how it was going. When I talked about the Not Multi-Tasking homework, they showed interest and wanted to focus on not multi-tasking for the day while I was working with them.
It is often difficult for my clients to stay focused on the tasks/projects we have identified as priorities for the day … and not multi-task. My clients are creative people and often jump from one thought to the next, one task to the next, one project to the next quickly … on a routine basis. They are multi-taskers!
After identifying the priorities for the day we began working on one task/deliverable at a time. At times, I felt their frustration of staying on one task until it was complete. Some comments were made about the difficulty of staying on task. I encouraged them to continue without multi-tasking to see what the outcome would be at the end of the day (since it was their request to try it with me, I felt it important to coach then through it).
Toward the end of each of those days (three days with three different clients), each voiced satisfaction in getting a lot more accomplished than usual … noted that not having to return to unfinished business (and not taking the time to determine where they left off last), felt good. Each thanked me for keeping them on track with their priorities.
We all noticed that the environment felt more clam and less stressed. Not multi-tasking was a positive experience. Can’t wait to see if they will make a habit of not multi-tasking!!
I haven't necessarily gone out of my way to ask dumb questions, but I did have two opportunities today. The first was with a good friend who was telling me about her work as the principal of a charter school. My inclination was to just go along with the conversation and not interrupt to ask her what a charter school is, but I forced myself to ask the question. She answered my question and also went into a lot more depth about her experiences at this charter school compared to other non-charter schools. The second opportunity was with my husband, who was using a large and intimidating-looking calculator that was occasionally making a funny beeping noise. I asked him about the noise, thinking that he would explain that some complicated financial functions make the calculator beep to show just how complicated the function is. It turns out that the "on" button is broken, and the noise is related to how hard he pushes the button. This made me laugh, and then out of curiosity I went on to ask what this fancy calculator could do that Excel couldn't. His explanation involved some financial concepts that I haven't thought about in a long time, and it was a little over my head, but it was an interesting conversation nevertheless. I'm glad I asked.
ReplyDeleteFrom the chapter on dumb questions, I really liked the idea of the question-a-week program. I related it to the idea of the reflective mindset from the mindsets article. By making a habit of asking myself the same question or questions every week, I can force myself to reflect on that week's "happenings" and hopefully turn some of them into "experiences". I wrote down answers to a few of the questions from the list, and I was surprised by how much actually happened in the last week. I was also surprised by how quickly I had forgotten most of the week's happenings. I think it was a great exercise.
Finally, in the IDEO case, the following sentence made me think of the integrative thinking article: "We broaden the range of opportunities, rather than narrow it, especially in the early stages of product development."
This week was typically interesting, I am one of those who tries to think over a question 10 times in my mind before actually asking it... I will try all possible answers that come to my mind to satisfy my curiosity quotient, before actually asking any questions, so this week I tried to reverse the cycle, instead thinking before asking a question, I decided to ask , however dumb or smart the question maybe. Interestingly enough, I noticed that I got to learn a lot more about myself and my VOJ. The questions that I pre-qualified as "dumb" weren't necessarily so, as a matter of fact few were good questions, and more importantly even the ones that were "dumb" according to me, actually stirred other questions in peoples minds which led to interesting discussions. So point to self, ask questions as they come to my mind.. and not as I (or my VOJ) judges them to be.
ReplyDeleteMost of our Live Withs have not come naturally to me at all. It's hard for me to truly "live with" these concepts, since they are new and oppose my instincts. Instead, I remind myself every now and again to check in with my live with.
ReplyDeleteDumb Questions however was very easy for me. Since I've arrived at Stanford I've had to ask nothing but dumb questions in order to gain what I wanted out of this experience. I am in a career transition from entertainment, which I know backwards and forwards, however very basic business terms and practices are completely foreign to me. Whenever certain terms are thrown around, I try to stop and ask what that means. The same goes with those around me. The students and their families in our program come from all different countries and all different cultures. In order to learn about them and their culture, sometimes the dumbest questions provide the greatest amount of knowledge.
The difference I found this week is that I was aware of asking the dumb questions and so my VOJ somehow got involved. I started looking at whether the recipient of my dumb question was judging me or thought I was stupid. I find that most of the time people are more than happy to provide the answer, however, occasionally it really seemed that some people could not believe that I don't know certain things.
Took the self assessment test, and it was very helpful, I liked the 2nd part more as it was more subjective and introspective. I am feeling as time goes by, meditation (if you will) is helping me unravel a lot within myself.
ReplyDeleteAriel's comments really spoke to me. I too attended a conference this past week and met clients who I haven't spoken to before. One interaction was particularly interesting because I was meeting with an end client and their agency. I realized that I asked the end client questions that I was really interesting in knowing the the answer to. However, with the agency, I felt that I already knew what their train of thought was so those questions were much less "authentic." Upon realizing this, I changed my strategy and tried to ask questions that I didn't know the answers to. I think this really helped me take the client relationship to the next level.
ReplyDeleteAsking dumb questions is the most difficult task so far. I realized that while I can pretty quickly find a number of dumb questions that relate to myself – my opinions, values or nature, it's not that easy to ask more general questions that relate to 'external' world. I would think of this as my inner child is still hidden deeply inside me and that I need to work harder to let it go out. Having troubles in asking dumb questions (esp. in public) I tried to analyze questions that I had already been asked – their nature and my feelings and reactions. Those that seemed to be limited and seeking an informative answer only, turned out to be dumb questions, if treated not too seriously, but turned into joke or answered in a very simple, childish way. I also found out that real dumb questions usually make me irritated as they force me to revise my knowledge or opinions – they disturb me. I tried to answer those questions in a different way, without giving straight answer, and that was much more joyful and entertaining. One thing for sure – need more practice.
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ReplyDeleteFor some odd reason my text I paste on to here doesn't stick even though I get the confirmation and all?!? most frustrating as I have been trying since Sunday...
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Regarding emotional intelligence I definitely agree with Kathy's point about being "reminded we are human". Thinking back, in my experience I do not however see it as an obstacle in business, much more a great asset when building a company, to sustain or developing one, internally with coworkers or employees or externally towards clients or other parties, good relationships where people share personal values and experiences bond people, no sane person would want to work for-, do business with-, or be a robot, at least not in the longer run. For most of us work is best when you can have fun, be creative and having that freedom with responsibilities.
ReplyDeleteRegarding dumb questions, I think I'm a bit of a expert on my own in this regard;-). Many people feel its hard or embarrassing to asking for explanation for what is believed to be considered obvious at the work place, especially when it comes to all those usually three letter abbreviations... I have asked for not only the letter meaning but the explanation for these plenty of times, what I have found is that most of the time the others don't know it either, not the letter combo or the meaning, and usually everyone else in the room is happy you asked... The ultimate dumb question I think is simply "why" or "how come", which I have found most of the time not only gives you a good explanation but also an extra engagement/interest from the subject matter specialist/expert that usually don't have to go into that detail or can show of his/her knowledge/skills, all depending on how you frame it, of course.
Ask dumb question works pretty good for me when I need to ask myself, I do get a variety of answers, directions, I really enjoy it. But when I need to ask people some dumb question, on this kinda environment we live that doesn't aloud us to do it very often, my VOJ totally try to transform my dumb question in a intelligent question, and then I get the answer I want and no judgement. I don't know why but I don't feel like this is a bad thing...maybe this is my VOI and not my VOJ then.
ReplyDeleteMy cousin Jim was a student in Minor White's graduate photography curriculum at MIT in 1974 which Michael Ray makes reference to in the chapter "Pay Attention." I asked him about some of the specifics of White's teachings. He said that White felt that some photographs are like "appetizers" and some are like "meals" -- that is they are more substantial. The meals are generally the more memorable photographs and the "flavor" of the meal remains long after one experiences the photograph visually. Jim said that White encouraged meditation before and during a photo shoot to help clear the mind so that the photographer would not approach the work with a preconceived notion or expectation of the final product.
ReplyDeleteAs it relates to what we are trying to learn this quarter, it appears that White was trying to teach his students to quiet the VOJ, to pay attention, to not predict an outcome and in a larger sense to enhance their creativity. I am trying to incorporate some of these focusing techniques with my current projects.
As it relates to White, it would seem to me that the projects and work that we remember over time probably are the types of work that we love to do most. This might be a good practice to start to get a better understanding of the things we truly love to do and not just those things that we have "learned to love to do."
I finally got a chance to put this live-with in practice. This week as in our work environment we were in a design phase, I had asked many questions with few being dumb, over e-mail to a group, which I normally avoid due to the fear of people judging me that I'm not even aware of these things. But the result is not only that my questions are answered even though how dumb they are, they did started few discussions within our group and there are few people who also have those questions. Also I was given little more responsibility in the design, than I had last week which is a good sign. Thought I should share this.
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