Insights from a year’s walk around England and Wales: #4 Asking the Right Question
Laurence Carter
Ex Senior Advisor, IFC Infrastructure; Author; Literacy Tutor at KidPower
We like answering questions to which we know the answer. But what if we gave as much thought to asking the right questions?
?I was taught this on day two of my one-year walk, near Brighton.
?I was welcomed into the Airbnb by ‘Tim’, a tall, gracious man. The interior was out of Vogue. A grand piano occupied a huge living room. Original modern art graced the walls.
?“You’re wondering why I’m doing Airbnb,” Tim smiled, putting on the kettle. “Well, I’m not. That’s my partner’s gig. I’m making my second hundred million. I lost it a couple of years ago, and now I’m on the up again. What are you up to?”
?When I explained, he told me a story. ?In the early 1990s, he had headed marketing for one of the world’s largest manufacturers of refrigerators. Following the 1987 Montreal Protocol on protecting the ozone layer, there was talk of banning CFCs in fridges. One day, the head of government affairs asked Tim for US$40m to pay for lobbyists.
?“To block the proposed ban on CFCs,” he explained. “That will kill our fridge business.”
?“Hmm,” replied Tim. “Have you asked the engineers if we could re-tool production so we don’t use CFCs?”
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?No one had. A few days later, the answer arrived: yes, it would cost US$40m and take three months. So?instead of spending US$40m on lobbying, the company became an early mover in CFC-free fridges, strengthening its market share and profits.
?“It’s all about the right questions,” Tim grinned. “Maybe the same applies to your walk?”
?It took me a year, after meeting dozens of ordinary-yet-extraordinary people. A question where the answer is different for everyone.
?What can we do for those we love?
?Now, before it’s too late. Because our lives can change in a moment.
?In 2018-19 I walked 4,300 miles around the coast of England and Wales. To raise awareness that cervical cancer can be eliminated in a generation. I’ll share insights every Thursday. See my book From Grief to Love: Walking Around England and Wales for more about the inspiring people I met.
A longer version of this post can be found here .
Senior Consultant || Climate Capacity & Inclusion Accelerator || International Finance Corporation
3 个月Couldn't agree more Laurence! The most significant progress in any endeavor often comes from questioning the question rather than debating its answer. "The answers you get are only as good as the questions you ask."
Helping individuals, leaders, groups and teams flourish in a challenging world
4 个月Such an important leadership and life insight Laurence - formulating and asking the questions that help us move forward rather than focusing on the ones we know the answer to. Sounds like you had a wonderful adventure and look forward to reading your book. Warmest wishes. Lucy
Director, Finance & Private Sector, The World Bank/IFC for over 25 years, Board member/Emerging market investment professional, Guest Faculty Oxford Impact Investment Program
4 个月Laurence: am reading and re-living the walk. The reflections and the inspiration from you and all the people we met. I recall that 85 year old lady who took a break from her walk to donate a kidney to her granddaughter, and was back on the track.
Partnership Lead Europe, International Finance Corporation
4 个月Just finished reading the book in one weekend- loved every page of it!
Wotton Associates
4 个月If you are reading this then please read Laurence's book! It contains so many gems for all of us........