There are two other important parts of asking and answering questions...
- The acknowledgement of receiving the question
- The reply to receiving the answer
How many of us have asked a question... just to get crickets. Sometimes a few days go by and suddenly, you get an answer. Sometimes, you never hear anything. So frustrating.
If someone asks you a question, take a quick moment to recognize their inquiry. Let them know you saw it and either you will have to search for an answer, or you will never know the answer and they should ask someone else. If you don't understand their question, ask them to clarify. There is no shame in letting them know you don't have all the answers or don't understand what they are asking. But, I do believe their is shame in not letting the other person know you saw their question.
And, if you have received an answer to your question, give a thank you. Or, if their answer doesn't actually answer your question, circle back for clarification. Maybe the responder didn't truly understand your question.
I know when I ask someone a question, I am thrilled when they let me know my question was received. And, when I give an answer to someone's question, I love the feedback - both positive and negative - regarding the help my answer provided. In fact, if I get a note "thanks for the reply, but that didn't really give me the answer"... I enjoy the challenge of learning how to better interpret and answer questions.
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