Questions are the answers

Why is it that a 5-year old would ask 100 questions a day, but a 50-year old would barely ask 10? It seems like our propensity to question decreases as our age increases.

That really shouldn't be the case. Imagine a court trial, where the advocate asks the questions and the witness answers. Who is in charge of the situation- the advocate or the witness? Obviously it is the advocate.

Imagine a classroom setting. If a student raises a question, what would be the next topic of discussion in that class? Obviously the student's question. In other words, the question has set the topic (and in this way, a student can in fact direct the flow of the classroom content).

We are so tuned in to the idea that an expert sits in the front, answering all our questions, that we fail to realise it is in fact the questioner who takes charge of the proceedings. It is time for us to re-learn the art of questioning. Sometimes we don't ask because we are afraid of appearing foolish, but contrary to conventional wisdom, it is in fact the lack of questions which should seem foolish.

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2008 marks my 10th year in legal practice. Thank you for your support.
If you have any questions or comments, drop me an e-mail at khenghoe@mycounsel.com.my.