The Most Important Question I Can Ask
Bassam Salem
Founder & Former CEO, AtlasRTX; Founder, Mindshare Ventures; Trustee, University of Utah
It had been a while since I had asked it.
I was reluctant to ask it of my two sons and my wife all on the same day.
But, yesterday, I gathered the courage to do so.
There were opportunities for me to be with each of them individually: on the way back from our early morning workout for my older son, on a day I happened to drive him to school for my younger son, and during a post-work evening chat for my wife.
I sincerely wasn’t sure what each of their answers would be.
But I asked it anyway, “how can I become a better father?”
And, of my wife, “how can I become a better husband?”
As COVID vaccinations will soon allow it, I will ask of my mother, “how can I become a better son?”
It’s a tough question for me to ask. I must always be open to hearing a potentially uncomfortable answer. But, if the relationship matters, is there any more important a question to ask?
With our dear friends, might we ask, “how can I become a better friend?” or “how can I become a better colleague?” with our coworkers?
Exploring Next Passion-Path, Consultancy, Advisory, Lead, Project-Operational, Integration, Recovery-related Resource Opportunities.
3 年For Bassam Salem and all others who are making efforts and asking questions like this; APPLAUSE to you. Appreciation and gratitide is hopefully the outcome. If only one person in your circle provides you with feedback, that can make all the difference. The potential for positive outcomes in personal relationships is the reward. Admitting to ourselves we are not perfect and asking others to tell us where we can improve builds a better self and in turn helps us build a stronger relationship bonds and trust. It also teaches us much in the process. All the best to you and your family, and to others whom you may influence and encourage to follow your lead.
UX / Product Design
3 年Kaizen!
Associate Broker at Summit Sotheby's International Realty
3 年I love this Bassam! Thank you for sharing ways for us to continue to strengthen our relationships.... Two things David (Dowie) has taught me in our 10 years together... "Ask for what you want" ... and to "Seek the conflict". Not always in the same conversation of course! Good honest open communication is the only way to thrive in all our relationships! Thank you for your insight!
Founder & Former CEO, AtlasRTX; Founder, Mindshare Ventures; Trustee, University of Utah
3 年Dear friends: I so, so appreciate the supportive and encouraging comments. I do want to be intellectually honest and acknowledge that I have a lot to work on as a husband and father. I want to make it clear that I have by no means reached the point where I can say I'm proud to be either of these roles. It is so incredibly difficult to balance it all so, while I appreciate the outward appearances to the contrary, please know that my family would say my relationships are a work in progress and that I have a long ways to go. All I'm trying to do is get just a little better each year. I hope to get there someday. #BestTodayBetterTomorrow
Director Global Consumer Insights, Ford Motor Company
3 年I have a friend whose (late) father usually ended every chat with this admonition "be a blessing". A simple yet effective maxim to keep in mind. Not the only path to answering your question, but a good place to start.