I’ve always been impressed by people who ask the best question, whether in a meeting, conversation, discussion, speech, FB comment, etc. I’m even more impressed by people who can ask the best question consistently, because it’s a tremendously difficult thing to do.
You can always tell when the best question has been asked because it will immediately precede an inflection point in the discussion or conversation. The best question precipitates decision, conclusion, resolution, finality.
The best question….
- Brings a wandering discussion into crisp, clear focus
- Is asked at the right time
- Incisively drives at the heart of the issue
- Is simple
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I’m sure there have been some really great “best questions” asked throughout history. But perhaps the most well known question, and the first one that comes to mind, is from the Watergate Scandal. You already know it:
“What did the president know and when did he know it?”
This question was asked, in reference to President Nixon, by Senator Howard Baker during the Watergate Scandal. In an investigation that turned on whether the president used his position to cover up illegal activity, this question was the key. It was the best question. Though not for the reasons that you might be thinking.
Believe it or not, Senator Baker’s intention in asking this question was to prove President Nixon’s innocence. Baker believed that the the whole scandal was a ploy by the Democrats to smear and discredit a Republican president and he crafted this question to prove that the President had no knowledge of any illegal activity.
Baker asked this question of John Dean, former White House Counsel for Nixon, during Dean’s testimony before the committee. Upon hearing the question Dean went on to testify that he and President Nixon had discussed the coverup of illegal activities 35 times. Oops. Dean’s testimony, expertly framed by Baker’s question, would play a key role in Nixon’s undoing.
It’s amazing what can happen when you ask the best question.
- Baker’s question brought a wandering 245 page testimony (Dean’s testimony) into crisp, clear focus.
- Baker asked the question at the right time. Dean was under oath. Dean was someone whose testimony Baker believed would prove Nixon’s innocence.
- Baker’s question left no room for ambiguity. It was straightforward and incisive. Cutting to the heart of the issue.
- Baker’s question was simple.
My favorite part of this story is the raw irony. Baker was correct in thinking Dean’s testimony would be a turning point in the investigation. He just couldn’t have predicted in which direction. And so his question, designed to show Nixon’s innocence, actually helped prove his guilt.
And that might be the most amazing thing about asking the best question: it’s impartial, even if you aren’t. Baker’s question “what did the president know and when did he know it?” may have been asked from a position of partiality, but it was phrased objectively.
The best question cuts to the truth of a situation.
The best question is lucid.
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We can’t expect to ask the best question every time – but we should try. Because trying to ask the best question requires preparation, insight, critical thinking, good timing, active listening, clarity of thought, and deliberate choice of words. All things we could each stand to do better and more often.
My challenge to us is this: live life in a such a way that asking the best question is a by-product of your approach to the world.
MW 