Ever heard the phrase “the squeaky wheel gets the oil?” Asking questions can help you be the squeaky wheel. Asking questions gets you noticed, in a good way. Here are a few benefits to asking questions.
You get noticed and not overlooked. Asking questions in a meeting, for example, can get you noticed in a good way. If you are in a group of people who don’t know you well it would also be a good idea to introduce yourself with your first and last name, title, and department (if applicable.)
You can help people stay or get on track. If you can see that a group is getting off track, instead of trying to be bossy, you can ask subtle questions to get people on the right page. This is a way to help others without being too direct when it may come across poorly.
You learn. This may the most basic or obvious, but it’s a great reason to ask questions. You can learn valuable information to help you proceed in the workplace, meet expectations, and understand lessons in class.
You show you’re invested. Think of an interview where you have questions prepared specifically for the role or company. That shows the employer you care! The more specific a question, the more they can tell you are not just googling questions because you know it’s a good idea to ask questions in an interview.
The last tip about asking questions is that being strategic with who you ask questions can help you expand your network. If you ask questions to a mentor or leader, they may begin to realize that you value their opinion and input which can win them over.
Overall, this Tuesday Tip is to ask questions because chances are they need to be asked anyway. Be the person confident enough to ask and see how far it takes you! Also, note that you shouldn’t ask questions just to ask questions. If you truly don’t have any then be an active listener, take notes, and wait for them to come to you.
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