What’s In A Question?
As a test engineer by training, I am regularly exploring the functionality – or lack thereof – of the equipment used to evaluate the products my company produces. To get the desired results, I need to ask pointed questions about the test setup, the equipment’s operation, and the anticipated results. An all to normal dialog with my technicians might go something like this.
Technician – “Hey Zimmerman! This radiator test is not responding like it is supposed to and I don’t know why. Can you help?”
Me – “Sure. What results are your observing?
Technician – “The air-side pressure drop and heat transfer is too low.”
Me – “How do you know that the results are low?
Technician – “We tested this part number several times over the past year year and the data does not match those results.”
Me – “Did you compare the setup pictures? When was the last time you reviewed the published test specifications?”
Technician – “I did not compare the pictures, and the test specifications have not changed materially.”
Me - “Let’s check both of those anyway.” “Why isn’t ‘this’ space taped off?”
Technician – “That’s the way I’ve always taped a radiator into the tunnel.
Me – “That may be true for new products, but this radiator was designed using an old specification. To make a like-for-like comparison we need to run it under the same conditions. Let me know what you observe after retesting.”
Asking great, direct questions usually exposes the root cause of the problems you are trying to solve. Sometimes, these questions can reveal complacency. Sometimes these questions reveal innovation. Regardless, they tend to start with “who”, “what”, “when”, “where”, “why”, or “how”. Starting questions this way keeps you curious and open to follow the results wherever they take you.
Questions to Ponder
Forget about the idiom that states “curiosity killed the cat” when you consider your life or aspects of your life. Unlike the dialog above, you are best served if you reject the notion of “that’s the way I’ve always…”. Instead, dig in. Posit that you can do better than you have in the past. Then get after it!
What aspects of your life are not working the way you want them to?
When was the last time you tried to change your mindsets or habits about those aspects of your life?
What has stopped you from changing your mindsets?
Where will your life be in 5-years if you “solve” some of your problematic mindsets?
Who do you know that is already walking around with the mindsets that you desire?
How will you change today to reach the goals you have for tomorrow?
To being more inquisitive!