Asking Questions

The Power of Asking Dumb Questions

I am almost too embarrassed to admit I did not know the most basic thing about raising chickens -- you gather their eggs at night!  As you know, I am new to this ranch thing, having grown up in the city.  As a result, making dumb mistakes and asking for my neighbors' help is an all-too-common occurrence.  My ridiculously low ranch IQ has probably helped this New Yorker gain acceptance in this close-knit farming community.

My morning routine has been to gather the eggs after feeding the horses and milking the cow.  The problem was that about 1/3 of the eggs were frozen and had to be thrown away.  Even though the answer to this riddle was right in front of my face, I could not see it.  I reached out to my Uncle Phillip, and he patiently taught this city slicker that eggs should be gathered in the evening before the nighttime freeze. 

This month's HBR review has an excellent article entitled Good Leadership Is About Asking Good Questions.  The author says, "research has shown that expressing vulnerability and asking for help is a strong signal to others that you are trusting, and you're more likely to be trusted in return." Ask more questions.  It builds trust and can increase your egg production by 50%.