What's the one thing that the world's leading innovators (创新者) share with children? They both learn through asking questions. It's the simplest and most effective way of learning.
Not asking good or even enough questions has a direct impact on the quality of choices we make. Getting into the habit of asking questions helps us gain deep insight and develop more innovative solutions.
Brilliant thinkers and scientists never stop asking questions. "Asking questions is the single most important habit for innovative thinkers," says Paul Sloane, the UK's top leadership speaker on innovation.
Newton: "Why does an apple fall from a tree but, why does the moon not fall into the Earth?"
Darwin: "Why do the Galapagos Islands have so many species not found elsewhere?"
Einstein: "What would the universe look like if I rode through it on a beam of light?"
Asking these kinds of basic questions started the process that led to their great breakthroughs. And asking questions is as relevant today. Only by constantly asking why can you find better products. Yet somehow, we just don't value questioning as much as we should as we get older. In his book "A More Beautiful Question: The Power of Inquiry to Spark Breakthrough Ideas", Warren Berger used the example of Edwin H. Land, who invented the Polaroid camera in response to his 3-year-old daughter asking why the camera that they used couldn't produce a photo immediately. There are plenty of other cases: Airbnb exists as a response to the question "why should you be stuck without a bed if I've got an extra air mattress (床垫)?" The list is endless, as many companies and even entire industries can be traced back to a single question.
How do we master the art and science of asking effective questions and how do we make it a habit? Here are some suggestions:
⒈Create an environment where curiosity is welcomed and rewarded.
⒉Become a keen observer of everything you see, hear and experience.
⒊Look at the world with fresh eyes question the familiar, and assume nothing is obvious.
⒋Understand the power of different types of questions—how they should be used and when.
⒌Keep asking why till you can go no further.
Asking questions can help us learn, explore the unknown, and adapt to change. Do as listed above and start your journey of practicing effective questioning. Now, are you ready to ask your questions?
