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Afraid to look silly when asking key questions? Get over it!

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Human nature is such that people often refrain from asking questions or otherwise seeking understanding for fear that they will look silly to their peers or appear less than competent to their bosses. This fear is often subconscious, but it is natural and is one of the more important obstacles to overcome when plotting an information management strategy.

In truth, asking questions and running down answers is actually a major strength because it better positions you for success by ensuring your decisions are based on vetted information and not suspicion or guesswork. Unfortunately, however, organizational politics often punish these kinds of pursuits by sparking resentment or hostility from managers whose reflexive response is to defend their turf, and to denigrate the efforts of the questioner by painting a picture of ignorance and irresponsibility.

As an information professional, one of your biggest challenges therefore is to figure out how to create a “safety zone” around your team so they can more comfortably pursue their lines of inquiry and bridge the schisms that may exist in your organization. As a consultant, I often find myself at the head of a conference room table that has line-of-business managers on one side and technology managers on the other, both sets of which sit back with arms crossed and eyes glaring. Here, the approach is more therapy session than planning meeting, and it can sometimes take a while to find a common language, a common ground, and a way for the questions to be asked and answered without undue antagonism.

Happily, most such activities end up opening the door to a more free exchange of planning information. While it often isn’t easy, and may require tools ranging from referees’ whistles to executive mandates, it is important to understand that looking silly will be the least of your problems if your questions don’t get answered and you can’t uncover the information you need to construct the most effective solution possible.

Want a little input about building your bubble? Drop me a line at steve@hollygroup.com and let’s chat!

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