Nov 21 2007
The Most Important Question
The JF Guest Author Spot
The Most Important Question by Kevin Eikenberry
It all started out so innocently.
I was preparing for an interview and the interviewer had sent me some of the questions to help me prepare. I was successfully thinking about how I would answer each question until I got to this one:
What is the most important question we can ask?
I didn’t have an immediate answer.
This may seem strange – after all, I have been training and telling people for years that better questions will get us better results and I’ve encouraged people to collect great questions – to ask ourselves and others at the appropriate times.
I’ll admit when I first read the question I started thinking of ways to squirm out of answering the question; rationalizing that it would be impossible to pick just one.
In the end, I did pick one (I’ll get to it in a minute.) But after another week of reflection and thought I’ve added two more. I forced myself to stop at three, trying to focus on some core principles that would underlie these great questions.
I picked these questions for the power they can have for us in helping us lead happier, more productive and successful lives. I believe these questions apply to us at any age, at work, at home and everyplace else in between.
So I hope you will excuse me for having more than the one question advertised by the title of this article. If you do, here we go . . .
What is most important to me?
This was my answer during the interview. I explained that asking this question can help us set goals, help us prioritize our tasks for better time management, and help us create a better balance in our lives – work, family and personal balance.
Asking this question will help us set better goals – and goals that are truly important to us (as opposed to a goal that you feel someone else wants you to attain or you somehow think you “should” attain). From a time management and balance perspective we can ask the question globally or more directly – as in what is most important, right now? Asking this version of the question will help you have a clearer perspective.
Why?
Why is the question of our children who we would all recognize as tremendously proficient learners. “Why” is the question of curiosity. When we ask the “Why?” question we open our minds to possibilities and options – and allow ourselves to find solutions to problems.
Our brains are designed to solve problems; to find answers to questions. Asking “Why?” creates a gap and identifies a problem to be solved. Asking “Why?” is a valuable way to increase our curiosity about the world around us and therefore increase our learning – about anything we are curious about!
In addition the “Why?” question help us better understand our intention for any action we might take. When we have a clearer and more powerful answer to the why question, we literally begin to catapult us towards change, learning and our goals.
What can I/did I learn?
As human beings we are learning beings, and yet we don’t always learn as intentionally and consciously as we could. The “Why?” question can get us on that path, but this question helps us take advantage of the learning opportunities that surround us in our everyday lives.
Asking “What can I/did I learn?” is the great question that allows us to reflect, learn, grow and improve.
Are these the most important questions we can ask? I believe they certainly are among the most important questions we can ask. As you can see that can have a tremendously powerful impact on all phases of our lives.
I encourage you to do things as you finish reading this article. First, I urge you to ask yourself a personalized version of the question I was asked - What is the most important question I can ask?
And secondly, ask yourself that question, and the ones I’ve suggested more often. The questions are powerful, but it is your answers that will change your results and your life for the better.
Potential Pointer: Asking ourselves powerful questions – and thinking about our answers - is one of the most valuable things we can do to improve our results, happiness and success.
Kevin Eikenberry is a leadership expert and the Chief Potential Officer of The Kevin Eikenberry Group, a learning consulting company that helps Clients reach their potential through a variety of training, consulting and speaking services. You can learn more about him and a special offer on his newest book, Remarkable Leadership: Unleashing Your Leadership Potential One Skill at http://www.RemarkableLeadershipBook.com/bonuses.asp
You can also catch Kevin over at Top Sales Experts
Today’s News:
Today’s Top Sales Expert of the day is “The Sales Hunter” Mark Hunter, a real professional’s professional and an immensely experienced sales guru - read more about him here
May I take this opportunity to wish all my friends, colleagues and readers in the U.S.A, a very happy Thanksgiving - enjoy 
Tomorrow: “Honing Your Questioning Techniques”
