Reflections on work, life, and the little things that make a difference.
This column explores the quiet ideas hidden within everyday life – drawing meaning from ordinary moments and inviting us to see familiar things a little differently. It doesn’t claim to offer answers but hopes to bring perspective and perhaps a little calm.
THE QUESTION BEFORE THE ANSWER
One of the things I enjoy most about conducting training is the questions.
Not because I always know the answers but because the questions themselves often reveal far more than people realise. Over the years, I’ve noticed that learners will sometimes begin with a question that seems perfectly sensible but it’s not these questions that matter most.
As we continue talking, something interesting often happens. The original question slowly gives way to another. The person asking about AI isn’t really looking for software but for more time in the evenings. The learner asking about Excel isn’t hoping to master spreadsheets but rather, trying to keep track of a household budget with more confidence. Likewise, the person wanting help with a CV isn’t really asking about formatting but hoping to find work that gives their family a little more security.
And when that deeper exploration happens, the conversation changes – not because we’ve found a better answer, but because we’ve discovered a better question instead. One of the unexpected truths that I’ve learned as an educator is that my role isn’t usually to provide better answers in reality. More often than not, it’s to help people ask better questions, and once the question becomes clearer, they often begin to see their own way forward.
A Thought to Carry With Us?
That realisation has changed the way I think beyond the classroom. When I find myself stuck, I now spend less time searching for the perfect answer and more time wondering whether I’m asking the right question in the first place – am I trying to solve the real problem or just the most obvious one?
It’s no secret that we live in a world that celebrates answers – search engines promise them, experts provide them and AI tools generate them in seconds. Of course, there is no denying that there is tremendous value in that.
But perhaps we sometimes overlook the quiet importance of the question that comes first. A good answer might solve today’s problem, but a thoughtful question can quietly reshape tomorrow. And perhaps that’s why some of the most valuable questions don’t immediately make life easier – they simply help us begin looking in the right direction.
Ganga enjoys finding small insights in everyday moments and sharing them as reflections on work, life and the in-betweens. He also empowers individuals through customised digital literacy courses. You can reach him at ganga@rte.co.nz or find him on LinkedIn via the QR Code.
