Learning To Ask Questions and Then Listen

In review of Proverbs 20:5 it says, “People’s thoughts can be like a deep well, but someone with understanding can find the wisdom there”

Bottom Line:

While people’s thoughts can be deep, someone with understanding will know how to draw it out.

What this means to me:

Good advice lies deep within the heart, if I am to become a person of understanding and wisdom, I will learn how to draw it out and find the wisdom in it.

In order for me to be wise, I need to learn how to ask wise questions. Today’s verse from Proverbs 20:5 says, “People’s thoughts can be like a deep well, but someone with understanding can find the wisdom there” (NCV). I think this is conveying that everybody’s got something to teach me. It’s like deep water in a well, and I’ve got to draw it out of them.

What I’m learning is that to draw this wisdom, I need to learn to ask smart questions.

It will be difficult to learn anything if I’m talking. If my mouth is moving, I’m not learning. I won’t learn anything by talking. I will however learn if I’m listening. So I need to learn to listen.

I also need to learn how to set up a question and then just listen. I’ve got to be willing to ask questions and then listen. According to this verse, this is the mark of a wise man or woman.

While this may be difficult in my work situation, I’m going to try to spend the day focusing on listening rather than talking.  And if I must talk, I will consider what kind of question I should ask.

Overall I think it will make a big difference when I learn to ask questions and then wait and listen with focus and interest.