Wrong answers only

Most of the time and mainly for the purposes of encouragement, we are often told there are no wrong answers. It is only natural that someone may feel dejected for being told they have given a wrong answer.

The response cuts out any future or further interactions. What might have been a bright idea is shot down! Makes you look dumb right? Silence is perhaps one of the most powerful means of communication. In silence, communication is not verbalized. The interpretation is left to the recipient who must decipher what was intended.

Two personal incidents demonstrated the power of silence. In lower school, we often made fun of one of the students who rarely had much to say. This individual cornered one of the students and the glare could have melted an iron ore! From that day, we kept off. Remember the story of Balaam's donkey in the Bible (Numbers 22:28)?

There is no shame in being told you are wrong just because of seeing something differently. In most workplaces, you have dominant individuals who believe in imposing their ways to colleagues. Is it the right approach?

Self expression comes in many forms. It is okay to follow a different path which is less trodden by many. For example, you can be a studying for a certificate for a different reason which may be one way of keeping busy. Securing the certificate could open new doors but it does not mean you were wrong in taking the studies if those doors remain locked.

Whenever someone attends a job interview, they are given an opportunity to ask questions. The fear of asking the wrong questions scares the interviewee into silence. One of the questions which may pop up is how much you expect to be paid.

Here, doing some research about the average pay for the position you are being interviewed for comes in handy. It reverts the question to the interviewer and puts you in good books for having taken time to research. Being bold by explaining the average pay and asking the interviewer how much they are ready to offer may not be considered inappropriate.

Personally, I have given wrong answers many times. It has been a learning process which has enabled me to grow. At the moment, I am taking some studies and one of the questions we are obligated to answer is what next?

This is because the norm is to look for something 'better' because of having one more qualification right? So, when you give an answer which negates this thought, the answer is wrong? In the actual sense, you are being truthful by saying: "This is for me."

Let's go back to the workplace scenario. Suppose there is an opening which does not align to what you are currently doing, would you be courageous enough to ask if you could perform that task? Someone could take a risk and give you a chance just because you asked.

In the process, if you remained quiet, someone else gets the post. Under such circumstances, you are left wondering why you did not ask!

The worst answer to your question is a No. What you do with the No is your gateway to a YES! Ask and it shall be given yo you (Matthew 7:7).