Insights from Head of Coaching

Dear Students,
 

In the West, we have numerous expressions that encourage inquisitiveness, ranging from “no question is a silly question” to “the only bad question is the one that goes unasked.” Among ambitious Chinese international students like you, however, our coaches have noted that eager curiosity – let alone feeling comfortable asking a few tentative questions in a new role – does not necessarily come easily, given an upbringing where such behavior was perhaps even discouraged.
 

Yet we, as experienced professionals, know that for aspiring candidates like you to succeed in building rewarding careers on diverse teams within global companies, the ability to craft well-thought-out, insightful questions is essential. Call it curiosity, inquisitiveness, “a curious nature,” or critical questioning, the message is the same – it’s typically more professional, efficient, respectful and effective to not make assumptions, but rather to clarify when needed (particularly before taking action).
 

Some great insights, useful for discussing in coaching, as well, follow in the related piece below.
 

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-stop-being-afraid-ask-questions-work-fast-company-msdwe/?midToken=AQFysX1GL6QpFQ&midSig=0CxzrDyg5s5r81&trk=eml-email_series_follow_newsletter_01-newsletter_hero_banner-0-open_on_linkedin_cta&trkEmail=eml-email_series_follow_newsletter_01-newsletter_hero_banner-0-open_on_linkedin_cta-null-2ngz6~ls4rky8c~qq-null-null&eid=2ngz6-ls4rky8c-qq&otpToken=MTYwMTFiZTQxMTJjY2JjZWI1MjkwNWVjNGUxNmUyYjE4YmNkZDM0NTk5YTQ4ZTYzNzZjMTA0NmY0YTU5NTY5YWYxOGZhYzkxMWJmNGY5OTJkOGJjZWZmOTZmYTMyNzFiOThmMjc2MjRhNTNkMTAsMSwx

Which interesting questions should you ask yourself and/or your colleagues at university or in the workplace tomorrow?