I’ve done several posts on strategic mentors who've fundamentally shaped my thinking and approach. In an early one, I mentioned multiple posts could be filled with lessons learned from Bill McDonald when I worked for him at Kansas City Infobank. The next few days will feature several great lessons I'm sure you’ll benefit from as much as I have.
Get on the Phone and Ask Your Question
Bill had an amazing ability to phone total strangers, chat with them, and prompt them to share incredible information through asking questions. Listening to these calls made a strong impression on me about the value of directly asking great questions of knowledgeable people. I've never matched Bill's skills, but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate the gift he has for conversation and questioning.
Today, however, since it’s so easy to email someone a question – type a few lines, hit send, and wait for a reply - fewer people seem to phone directly when they need information or something resolved.
But just because you sent an email doesn’t mean you really asked a question. That implies the recipient actually read the question, and is in a position to adequately respond without ongoing dialogue.
Despite the apparent ease of email, it's often a much better alternative to pick up the phone and call. If you can talk live, you’ll at least know they received the question, find out if your question prompts questions for them, clarify any confusion, and engage in a dialogue that could provide a much richer understanding.
So put down the phone or push away from the keyboard and call with your question! - Mike Brown
