Fri, November 06, 2009 - 5:16:05

What’s the Harm in Asking?

image courtesy of Museum 2.0

There’s an old Chinese proverb that says “One who asks a question is a fool for five minutes; one who does not ask a question remains a fool forever.” But, when you’re trying to make a great impression at work, it can be difficult to take down your game face for a moment, risk feeling silly, and ask what you think just might be a “stupid” question.  However, as we explain in our book, THE POWER OF SMALL: Why Little Things Make All the Difference and Jodi Glickman Brown writes on The Conversation Starter, asking questions at work actually makes you look smart in and out of the workplace.

If the events of the last year have taught us anything, it’s that failing to ask what you might think is a dumb little question can actually have devastating ramifications.  Pointing to the case of Bernie Madoff’s now infamous Ponzi scheme, Brown states that because inexperienced workers at the SEC were unwilling to ask questions and solicit help from their superiors they repeatedly failed to uncover Madoff’s massive fraud.  As a result, fortunes were decimated and families were devastated.

On a smaller scale, neglecting to ask questions you might think are silly can hinder your job performance, while taking a brave leap forward and inquiring at the risk of a laugh from your boss can help you shine in a whole new light.  Plus, if you are able to take a little good-natured ribbing it can even make you more likeable and perhaps more importantly, being able to swallow your pride and just ask shows that you’re able to take the initiative and solve problems before they get out of control. 

We’ve all heard the joke about what assuming does to you, so stop worrying about looking foolish for a fleeting moment and consider the alternatives because, as we like to say, little mistakes spell disaster… even when committed with the best of intentions. 

Posted by Linda and Robin