Start Learning to Ask Questions

It is a flaw not to ask questions. Western students, compared to Chinese students, tend to ask more questions, though they may be indiscriminate. Chinese students, on the other hand, are often reluctant to ask questions.

Recently, while teaching them about process automation, I asked if anyone had any questions. Everyone remained silent. When I posed a question, no one could answer. What is this ailment, this fondness for feigning understanding? Not asking questions is akin to pretending to know. Asking questions might make one feel ignorant and ashamed. This whole series of issues constitutes a bad habit. Learning to ask questions is essential; without it, learning becomes difficult. Asking indiscriminately is better than not asking at all. While I do not encourage mere speculation, asking questions does not necessarily equate to speculation.

Often, our reluctance to ask questions leads to problems. Not long ago, while viewing a house, we noticed an electrical wire protruding from the floor. Why would there be a wire at the threshold? This sister failed to inquire. An electrical wire emerged from the threshold, and I wondered why a door had not been installed. Yet, this sister did not ask. Similarly, another wire was protruding, and again, no inquiry. Such instances are numerous. Yesterday, while measuring a door, the sisters, feigning understanding, subtracted 5 millimeters from the glass door opening. They did not consult me during the measurement but only afterward. What is the lesson here? When undertaking tasks, one must ascertain one's level of understanding. If unsure, seek clarity. Making mistakes in this regard can be dire. Therefore, learn to ask questions, as it is a virtue.

If You Don't Understand, Ask; Do Not Be Presumptuous

Many years ago, I cultivated the habit of asking questions. When my suppliers delivered equipment, they offered three days of training. I declined, requesting instead their contact numbers. I explained that as I worked, I would call with questions, needing only to know the critical points to consider. They briefed me for about 10 minutes. This proved to be a very efficient learning method. Ask questions of those who know when you encounter problems.

During setup, I encountered a snag. The instructions differed from the manual, indicating a need to revert one step and then proceed. This resolved the issue. Fifteen minutes later, I encountered another obstacle. I called and was instructed accordingly, and the setup progressed. Within approximately three hours, the entire machine was assembled and operational. I gained a rough understanding of the equipment. Consider this: attending a three-day training without hands-on experience would leave me unsure of the equipment's function. When finally attempting to set it up, I would still need three hours and further assistance. By employing the method of asking questions, I significantly boosted my learning efficiency and saved time. In our daily lives, learn to ask questions in all endeavors. Recently, I have found the word assume to be harmful: assuming one thing or another. The reality is revealed only through action. Hands-on experience is the fastest way to learn.

Recently, our sisters, learning to drive, often said, I assumed it was like this, but it turned out to be different. In fact, assuming is a form of presumption. If you lack understanding yet believe you do, you are being presumptuous. If you are unsure, clarify and understand the matter fully. Many people have this bad habit, and if it is not eradicated, significant problems can arise. Some of our brothers and sisters in pastoral care are not progressing well, doing things haphazardly without asking for guidance, and the results are subpar. I urge them to ask themselves, Do I truly understand this? If not, seek clarity. Write it down and ponder it thoroughly. This reflects the rigorous attitude of an engineer. Only the outcome matters, and if it is incorrect, there is certainly a problem.

How to Ask Questions? What Questions to Ask?

What questions to ask and how to ask them are skills to be cultivated. First, the ability to see problems is a valuable skill. If you cannot see the problem, you cannot solve it, and if you cannot see the problem, you cannot ask questions. Start by cultivating the habit of observation. While demonstrating process automation, which presented numerous, overwhelming options, the sister in charge of teaching would explain, and I would ask about the discrepancies. Often, we could explain them, but sometimes we could not. In such cases, we needed to understand why.

When training others, if students are reluctant to ask questions, we must know how to ask the questions on their behalf. What should we ask then? Ask about anything that seems strange. It may not be a profound question, but clarify what is unclear.

Ask Specific Questions

I have discovered that lecturing can be quite interesting. When lecturing to those who are uninformed, they ask unusual questions. One must be prepared to answer both intelligently and indiscriminately. If our understanding is limited, lecturing can become a painful experience. If a teacher cannot ask questions themselves, they will be at a loss when students ask questions in class. Cultivate the habit of asking specific questions, as it differs significantly from asking vague questions. When teaching, I like to stress the word specific. Be specific in your actions, in the tasks you assign to subordinates, and in the questions you ask.

Recently, one sister was very philosophical, asking, Why do people eat? and What is faith? These are good questions, but not specific and not particularly helpful. I encourage everyone to ask specific questions. Asking specific questions is very beneficial because the problem is either solved or known to be unsolved. Asking a philosophical question may leave you unsure whether it has been solved or not. Engineers deal with concrete matters, not ambiguous ones. Asking specific questions about your tasks is an important concept.

Today, we discussed learning to ask questions, specifically, concrete questions. When our actions go awry, we should regularly ask ourselves what we are doing and seek clarity. Take driving, for example. Many people forget the concepts learned in the theory test, which covers the basic traffic regulations and is fundamentally important. When driving, I would ask myself about the speed limits on the road, the presence of cameras, and the possibility of fines. I would ensure that I understood all the road signs. Ask questions not only of yourself but also of others to minimize errors. If a person does not like to ask questions throughout their life, the losses can be great, so it is crucial to learn to ask questions.

Those Who Ask Questions Are Intelligent

Why are some people intelligent and others not? It is because those who do more encounter more problems, while those who do less encounter fewer problems. Encountering more problems prompts one to ask questions, and the ability to answer those questions leads to increased intelligence. Some have concluded that children who do not do housework are less intelligent. Less housework means fewer questions. Do not think that reading is the key to intelligence; doing is the key. Act, engage your mind, encounter problems, and solve them—that is the key. Therefore, brothers and sisters, cast aside our presumptions and ask ourselves more questions: What is this all about? Can I explain it clearly? If the explanation is unclear, then clarity is still lacking. Asking questions is a good habit, and everyone should cultivate it.

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