The power of questions

The writer David Brooks once observed that 30 or 40% of humanity are question askers. He said that the rest, while nice people, may not be as curious about you.

This got me thinking about the power of questions and how they can shape our interactions and relationships.

When Brooks meets someone, he asks about their childhood. It’s a simple question, but it opens up a world of understanding about a person’s past and how it has shaped them.

As he gets to know someone and trust is established, he delves deeper. He might ask, “What’s your favorite unimportant thing about you?” It’s a fun question that reveals unique aspects of a person’s personality.

But the real magic happens when you ask questions that people don’t have immediate answers to, like, “If the next five years is a chapter in your life, what’s this chapter about?” or “If we met a year from now, what would we be celebrating?” Such questions require introspection and can lead to connection.

Brooks’ approach reminds us that asking questions isn’t just about getting information. It’s about showing genuine interest in others, fostering deeper connections, and helping people discover new insights about themselves.