ASKING QUESTIONS

In his book "How to Have a Beautiful Mind" by Edward de Bono, he emphasises on the importance of asking questions within a discussion in order to have a fruitful and interesting conversation.

Asking questions, should not be just merely "Shooting Questions" for example

"Have you been to the new shopping complex?"
"Is your birthday today?"
"Do I look fat?"

It's ok to ask these questions if you don't mind a "yes" or a "no" answer. Questions which you anticipate the answer is either a "yes" or a "no" is termed as "Shooting Question".

However if you'd prefer a a more explicit answer or explaination to your question, you should ask "Fishing Question" instead.

"What do you think of the new shopping complex?"
"When is your birthday"
"Define fat (ha ha ha)?"

Anyway just to illustrate the point of the importance of asking questions and also asking right questions, allow me to share with you an email I just received.

Jack and Max are walking from religious service. Jack wonders whether it would be all right to smoke while praying.

Max replies, "Why don't you ask the Priest?"

So Jack goes up to the Priest and asks, "Father, may I smoke while I pray?"

The Priest replies, "No, my son, you may not! That's utter disrespect to our religion."

Jack goes back to his friend and tells him what the good Priest told him.

Max says, "I'm not surprised. You asked the wrong question. Let me try."

And so Max goes up to the Priest and asks, "Father, may I pray while I smoke?"

To which the Priest eagerly replies, "By all means, my son. By all
means. You can always pray whenever you want to."

Moral : The reply you get depends on the question you ask. For example, if you want a vacation when still working on a project, don't ask for the holiday; ask: "Can I keep working on this project while I'm on vacation?"