James Ryan, dean of the Harvard Graduate School of Education, gave a 2016 commencement address that went viral. Lessons he presented are enjoying a resurgence of late. Ryan notes that if we regularly ask five questions, our chances for personal and professional success and happiness are higher than if we don’t ask them. The questions are:
- What? (seeks clarification)
- I wonder . . . (followed by why or if)
- Couldn’t we at least . . . (search for common ground)
- How can I help? (The “how can” is most important, so you can help specifically as needed.)
- What truly matters?
Source: Harvard Graduate School of Education, May 26, 2016.
I would urge you to resist the temptation to have answers at the ready and to spend more time thinking about the right questions to ask. The simple truth is that an answer can only be as good as the question asked. I know this from experience.
INSIGHTS: Ryan writes a good speech. If you’re short on time, watch a shortened version of it on YouTube. He’s also written a book about the importance of asking these questions.