Search Results for: ask questions

Roger tells the story of the Christian at his workplace (we’ll call him Joe), who is already good friends with “Sam.” As they share life with each other, Joe asks Sam something like, “What would you think of having a few lunches together to see how the Bible sheds light on life?” Joe has spent time listening to Sam, praying for him, and welcoming him into his life. Significant life topics have already come up in their conversations. Since Sam has experienced the way that Joe listens and asks questions, he trusts that their interactions will help him, so Sam...Read more …

Robert Hodge coaches leaders, emerging leaders, and boards to their “preferred future” and just recently shared some interesting thoughts in a blog about how asking the right questions can help any organization innovate and gain new insights. In this blog, he concentrates his thoughts around Kelcie Miller-Anderson, an amazing young woman, scientist, researcher, and environmentalist, who recalls her infatuation with the question “Why?” Dandelions? Kelcie Miller-Anderson of Calgary, Ontario, was only 15 years old when she began to wonder why it was possible for dandelions to grow in places nothing else could. Seven years later, Kelcie’s questions have resulted in research that could...Read more …

Kay recalls a time when she was much, much younger. It was late and dark. But my dad kept driving toward our hotel. So while my sisters slept on either side of me in the back seat, and while my mom fought to stay awake up front to keep dad alert, four year-old me stood, my feet straddling the backseat middle floor bump and my hands gripping the front bench seat, talking and talking and talking. Finally, my dad told my mom to just go to sleep—all my chatter would keep him very much awake. I’ll never forget having my...Read more …

Cheryl Bachelder is a passionate restaurant industry executive serving as the CEO of Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Inc. Ms. Bachelder has come to be known for her great, servant leadership—leadership that turned a struggling company around by shaping a work culture that emphasized serving others—both within the company as well as the customers it serves. In 2015, she wrote a book, “Dare to Serve: How to Drive Superior Results by Serving Others,” chronicling the tenets of the Popeyes turnabout. But the book is not just a retelling of this success. Although a rather quick read, it’s a deep book of leadership wisdom that some readers have likened...Read more …

Listen to enough people, and you become more adept at reading the signs of who is truly engaging with you… “If you allow [people] to express their views … there is an excellent chance that people will reciprocate.” [1] Spoken by a man who loves and follows Jesus, these words are as profoundly simple as they are powerful. But what’s truly shocking is the context in which Daryl Davis employs the art of asking questions and the art of listening. Davis is an African American who, over the course of many years, has made friends with dozens of card-carrying members...Read more …

Becky Pippert, author of 11 books, including the ground-breaking book on evangelism, Out of the Saltshaker, describes an exchange she had with a fellow passenger in a recent blog: I recently had a lively conversation with a woman next to me on a flight. “Listen,” she said, “if I want to be a man on Monday and a woman on Wednesday—who cares? Gender identity is simply a matter of personal preference.” She said she believes in the essential goodness of human nature, so I asked how she’d describe the state of the world: “The world is clearly falling apart. It’s a mess!”  “But how is...Read more …

Editor’s Note. One of Q Place’s core values is self-discovery, because after over fifty+ years of ministry, evidence is strong that people grow and learn best when they discover truths for themselves through discussion and study. The primary means to facilitate self-discovery in others is through asking good questions. That is why I resonated so deeply with the thoughts to follow, penned by Frederick Buechner in his book, Wishful Thinking. Trusting they’ll spark something in you as well. – Pamela Klein, On Q Editor _____________________________ QUESTIONS “On her deathbed, Gertrude Stein is said to have asked, ‘What is the answer?’...Read more …

When I was in 2nd grade a friend asked me if I believed in God. I said “No” and she went and tattled to the teacher. When I was in high school, I babysat for some wonderful neighbors and friends of ours. One of their daughters asked me if I believed in God, and I said “No.” She burst into tears and cried because I was going to hell. And people wonder why I have a negative view about religion? When I became an adult and considered the possibility that I may not have all the answers, I started going...Read more …