In the US, from childhood, we are rewarded for giving the right
answer. Giving the right answer has become synonymous with high intelligence.
Those who prefer to ask questions may be seen as
answer. Giving the right answer has become synonymous with high intelligence.
Those who prefer to ask questions may be seen as
incompetent. The questioner
may appear to lack knowledge. Yet, it requires tremendous knowledge and insight
to ask the right question.
Furthermore, it is the person who conducts the inquiry that advances
society with new discoveries.
Generally speaking, providing the right answer does not lead to
innovation. Providing the right answer is a form of problem solving. When we
solve problems, it does one thing: makes the problem go away. Robert Fritz, who developed the
philosophy of Creative Structural Tension says, “While problem-solving has its
place, as a persistent approach, it limits accomplishment. The elimination of a
problem does not mean that the desired result can be created. As distinguished,
solving a problem does not by design lead to a creation. Creating is taking
action to bring into being that which does not yet exist: the desired outcome.”
innovation. Providing the right answer is a form of problem solving. When we
solve problems, it does one thing: makes the problem go away. Robert Fritz, who developed the
philosophy of Creative Structural Tension says, “While problem-solving has its
place, as a persistent approach, it limits accomplishment. The elimination of a
problem does not mean that the desired result can be created. As distinguished,
solving a problem does not by design lead to a creation. Creating is taking
action to bring into being that which does not yet exist: the desired outcome.”
Asking
questions, on the other hand, opens our minds and doors to possibilities that
the problem covered up. Not only do problems hide new possibilities, our
knowledge and hunger for the right answer conceals what we don’t know. For
example, it was once a fact that, if a human being traveled in a vehicle at
more than 40 miles per hour, the human body would explode. As a result, in the
early days of motorized vehicles, they were built with a top speed of 40 miles
per hour. If scientists and engineers would have used the problem solving
approach for this dilemma, perhaps they would have made driving suits that
protected the body from imploding when it exceeded speeds of 40 miles per hour.
However, asking what happens at 41 miles per hour led us to space travel where
we have to fly at speeds over 17,000 miles per hour to fly into space and
escape the earth’s gravitational pull.
questions, on the other hand, opens our minds and doors to possibilities that
the problem covered up. Not only do problems hide new possibilities, our
knowledge and hunger for the right answer conceals what we don’t know. For
example, it was once a fact that, if a human being traveled in a vehicle at
more than 40 miles per hour, the human body would explode. As a result, in the
early days of motorized vehicles, they were built with a top speed of 40 miles
per hour. If scientists and engineers would have used the problem solving
approach for this dilemma, perhaps they would have made driving suits that
protected the body from imploding when it exceeded speeds of 40 miles per hour.
However, asking what happens at 41 miles per hour led us to space travel where
we have to fly at speeds over 17,000 miles per hour to fly into space and
escape the earth’s gravitational pull.
Therefore,
instead of rewarding people for giving the correct answer, it is critical that
educators and business leaders start encouraging people to ask the right
question. The advancement of society, economically and technologically, depends
on the right questions.
instead of rewarding people for giving the correct answer, it is critical that
educators and business leaders start encouraging people to ask the right
question. The advancement of society, economically and technologically, depends
on the right questions.