I'm sure there are moments in our life when we just sit and imagine what if I ask that a year ago or two years ago. There are numerous moments in our life where we decided not to ask something simply because we assume that is not appropriate questions. It is not appropriate to ask such questions. My mentor used to say "Wicky, the worst case you could get when you ask something is a big 'NO'". I am not sure whether culture has something to do with it but I have seen instances where an employee was not treated right but he/she just succumbs and not even questioning the reason behind the treatment given. There are breaks here and there where your superior might spot it but it is our own responsibility to make sure that we are treated fair. What is fair? (I will elaborate more about fairness on my next blog).
Asking questions has a lot to do with:
1. Timing, it is important never ever ask questions when your boss is in a pile of deadlines.
2. Privacy, nothing more powerful than a one on one meeting, try to avoid asking questions publicly as most of the time the answer you would get would be vague as it is intended to all people hence it will not answer the core of the problem.
3. Be professional, it is business save your tears and emotions for drama movie, please.
4. Give and take, have you fulfilled the other end of the bargain? Have you contributed enough to the company? (What is enough? You judge yourself.)
5. Level of appropriate questions? Is there any level for that? I think not I have found that most questions are more to "how" you say than "what" you say. Even the most ridiculous and offensive questions may not appear to be one when you know how to wrap it.
6. Patient, if you have raised the questions wait. It takes time to give you a quality answer.
7. Persistent, if it was not answered to the level you would expect re-address it in a different time with different ways. There is a subtle difference between nagging and persistent.
8. Flexibility, what you ask may end up with different answer or solution as long as it is closer to the end goal it should be fine.
9. Good intention, always reach a win win solutions there's always one if you look hard enough.
10. Listen and move on, sometimes we just have to move on and stop dwelling in the same topic or should I say the art of understanding a big 'NO' means. What is important is that you have raised the questions and sufficient follow up.
Do you have burning questions that you would like to ask?
Remember worst case is a 'NO'.
