Asking Questions
Someone
was annoyed when I asked a question about a picture of them posted in a
Facebook group. I never met the person,
I was just asking a question. We
recently witnessed some presidential debates.
One of the male candidates was not wearing a tie. This was a formal on TV event. Shouldn’t one
question be why he wasn’t wearing a tie?
If someone who wants a job, shouldn’t they look the role in a televised
event? Shouldn’t they look the role in
public? If you are applying for a job, a leadership role or anything that
requires your undivided attention shouldn’t your formal portrait say, “I want
the job?” I am not talking about unposed
or candid shots showing you at work.
Asking
questions is part of the DNA of a good educator. Educators do not give students all the
answers. Lecturing while efficient to
transfer knowledge, is not the best way to encourage student to think and
innovate. Sometimes the hardest part of
research is figuring out the correct questions.
I am doing research on the best business practices of an organization
and after two months, I still can’t figure out the questions. I know the goal, but I can’t figure out the
journey.
When
I study Talmud, halacha or law, asking and questions of the most minute part of
the details is part of the learning process.
A halacha may be learned from a single phrase of the Bible or statement
for a Talmudical rabbi.
A
student who comes into the library and asks, “May I have a book?” is not asking
a question that will give the answer they need.
Of course, one needs to query him for more information. Some of the questions the librarian or
educator asks may make the requestor uncomfortable. If one is going to a physician or hospital
one will be asked questions about their health, medical history, medications,
etc. to make sure the of the diagnosis or treatment. We are not mind readers.
When someone coming in the library and needs help I need to ask questions to figure
out the best way to help them.
Here
are two pictures. Make up a story about
who they are and include reasons why one would be more likely to listen to you and
the other more likely to be distracted and pay partial attention. Which pose would be appropriate for the following
jobs – social worker, executive assistant, accountant, sales representative, psychologist,
elementary school teacher, college professor, executive secretary, professional
colleague, candidate for mayor, diplomat, heating/air conditioner repair
expert, etc. Do you get the point? These women could be actresses in a role, but
your impression without context is what is important. An advertiser would carefully choose a
picture so that the reader will ask the right questions.
If
you are trying to make an impression based on a picture, consider the questions
the viewer will have. Do you really want
to give the wrong impression?
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