We all have countless experiences of leaving out the critical but minor details of a task due to oversight. When we stare at a humongous aircraft on the runway, we forget that the object is built on nuts and bolts. The magnality sways us. Likewise, when a big idea pops up, we fail with the output by not asking the silly and stupid questions. This repeats when we undertake a big task.
We assume the little things are answered in a gigantic project. We look down on ourselves to stand up and ask the simple questions in a board room. Instead, we are at our wits end to solve for the complex questions. Everyone is scampering to solve the big issue.
When you answer the little and stupid things well, you will see great solutions oozing out of a problem. You won’t find glaring glitches in those ideas and products. This is what differentiates the average from the great. This is what makes them great in the first place. Our lazy mind avoids effort. It finds a short cut and runs through information in a jiffy. We call it a creative streak, which often looks foolish when the rubber hits the road. During the post-mortem, we then hear, “Oh, how come no one bought this up?” or “How did I not see this?”
This habit develops through assumption. Assuming things work in a certain way and not validating it if they really do. Hordes of case studies will emerge to recount their failures on missing out or overlooking or not asking that stupid question in a room full of supposed mavericks.
To know the inside out of a task at hand, whether it pertains to baking a cake or building the nation. Make sure you remain silly and ask those stupid questions first! Remember the great man who once said, “Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish!”
53 thoughts on “Answer the stupid question.”