There ARE Stupid Questions; But They're Still Worth Asking

You've probably heard the old adage, "There are no stupid questions." Well, I'm here to tell you that's a load of nonsense. Of course there are stupid questions! But here's the thing: just because a question is stupid doesn't mean it's not worth asking.

Think about it.

Sometimes, those dumb questions are the ones that need to be asked the most. Maybe there's a whole group of people wondering the same silly thing, but they're too afraid to speak up. Or maybe that ridiculous question will lead to a whole new way of thinking, sparking a conversation that takes you down a path you never expected. As the great philosopher Homer Simpson once said,

"Stupid risks make life worth living."

Maybe that directly translates to "Stupid questions make life worth living." Maybe not. Who knows. My point stands - whatever that is.

Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not saying you should go around asking stupid questions just for the heck of it. If you can easily find the answer with a quick Google search or by using your brain for a few seconds, then yeah, that question is probably stupid and lazy. But even those lazy questions can have value.

When you welcome stupid questions, you create a culture of authenticity and openness. You're telling people that it's okay to be themselves, to communicate in their own way, without fear of being judged or ridiculed. And who knows? Your stupid question might just be the spark that ignites something brilliant.

But let's be clear: there's a big difference between a stupid question and a question asked for stupid reasons.

If you're asking a question just to test someone, catch them out, or show off how smart you are, then you're being a massive jerk. That kind of behaviour creates a toxic culture and has no place in a good team. It's like the old saying goes,

"Don't ask questions you already know the answer to, unless you want everyone to think you're a pompous ass."

So go ahead, ask those stupid questions! Embrace the silliness, the absurdity, the sheer idiocy of it all. Just don't be a dick about it. And if anyone gives you a hard time for asking a dumb question, just remind them of what Albert Einstein supposedly said:

"If you can't explain it to a six-year-old, you don't understand it yourself."

(He probably didn't actually say that, but it's still a good point.)

Oh, and if you have any stupid questions about financial planning, money management, AI, or snooker, feel free to hit me up. I promise I won't judge... much. After all, as Mark Twain once said,

"He who asks a question is a fool for five minutes; he who does not ask a question remains a fool forever."

So go ahead, be a fool for a few minutes. It's better than staying one forever.

Just to say...

I'm happy to have a chat with you on a no obligation basis and sign post you to where you would best be suited. I'm not on commission. I don't need to onboard you as a client. I just want you to start the conversation with someone. Happy for it to be me but go where you are recommended and with whom you trust. I won't charge you for a conversation by the way. If in doubt, send a message. Ultimately anywhere you feel comfortable.

Disclaimer:

This article does not constitute advice