Asking great questions enhances understanding and comprehension, serving as the key to unlocking insights in reading and conversations.
Society's norms can stifle curiosity over time, emphasizing the need to nurture childlike curiosity through impactful questioning.
Deep dives
Importance of Asking Great Questions
Asking great questions is highlighted as a key factor in enhancing understanding and comprehension. The podcast emphasizes that questions are the answer to achieving greater insights, particularly when reading or engaging in conversations. The guest, Kao Fussman, known for his legendary interviews with icons like Gorbachev and Muhammad Ali, stresses that the art of asking insightful questions is a blend of innate curiosity and honed skills. Reflecting on a childhood experience where he wrote to President Lyndon B. Johnson, Fussman underscores the power of a simple yet profound question in making meaningful connections and garnering unexpected insights.
Curiosity and Learning Challenges
The podcast discusses the diminishing curiosity individuals experience as they progress through education and into adulthood. Drawing from the example of questioning protocols in schools from raising hands to fear of asking foolish questions, the episode delves into how societal norms stifle curiosity over time. It emphasizes the importance of nurturing curiosity akin to that of a four-year-old, highlighting the pivotal role of questioning in learning. By encouraging questions that reach the heart and foster genuine connections, individuals can reignite their curiosity and enhance their learning experiences.
Power of Heartfelt Questions in Conversations
The episode narrates a poignant encounter between the host and Mikhail Gorbachev, showcasing the transformative impact of heartfelt questions on approaching conversations. Despite time constraints during the interview, the host's decision to probe Gorbachev's heart rather than expected political topics led to a profound exchange. This interaction revealed the deep-rooted connection between personal experiences, emotions, and decision-making processes. By emphasizing the significance of asking genuine questions that resonate with emotions, the podcast underscores the power of fostering authentic connections in communication.
If you’re a long time or a new listener to my training, you know that I always tell people that the questions are the answer. If you want a greater understanding and comprehension when you read, then ask better questions.
In today’s episode, we’re going to talk about how to ask better questions that will give you better answers. And I can’t think of a better person to talk about this than my friend, Cal.
Calvin "Cal" Fussman is an American journalist and author. He is a Writer at Large for Esquire magazine, known for the What I've Learned column, where he interviews leaders in various fields, which have included Mikhail Gorbachev, Jimmy Carter, Ted Kennedy, Jeff Bezos, Richard Branson, Jack Welch, Robert De Niro, Clint Eastwood, Al Pacino, George Clooney, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Bruce Springsteen, Dr. Dre, Quincy Jones, Woody Allen, Barbara Walters, Pelé, Yao Ming, Serena Williams, John Wooden, and Muhammad Ali.
This is a powerful episode, and I hope it will help you to re-activate your curiosity and creativity.
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