Questions that are just as important as answers

The first book chosen for UVAFinance’s book club is “Wait, What?: And Life’s Other Essential Questions” by incoming UVA President James Ryan. One of two discussion sessions on this book is remaining – all are invited to join us at our March 15 Book Club session, held from 12 – 1pm in Carruthers – 2. The book is brief, touching, and inspiring!

We’ve recapped Ryan’s main points in the graphic accompanying this post, because even if you don’t read the book (although we highly recommend it!), you might want to pause for a moment and think about how these questions might help you ensure understanding, generate new ideas, inspire progress, encourage responsibility, and remain focused on what is truly important.

As educators and professionals, we have many responsibilities to students, colleagues, patients, our families, and the stakeholders we serve. It can be difficult to manage the challenges and roadblocks we experience and still do our best for the people and causes we care about. It can be tempting to think that your job is always having the right answers, but inspiring curiosity, creativity, and deeper thinking starts with asking the right questions. Using these five questions may help you gather insights that can give you a sense of clarity and purpose.

Click graphic for a larger version

Summarized with insights taken directly from Ryan’s commencement speech given at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.