Whose Questions Are You Answering?
We ask and answer questions every day. When a colleague or supervisor asks about the status of a project, that’s (usually) a straightforward question deserving of a straightforward answer. That’s not the type of question that’s been on my mind in recent weeks. There are much more difficult questions that are pointing toward important — even life changing —decisions. Should I move? Is it time for graduate studies? Where should we send our children to school? Am I spending my money wisely? Should I consider a job change? Is it time to reach out to a colleague or friend who is struggling? What is the right response to today’s political environment? When is the right time to retire? How should I deal with an aging parent? Too often I find myself facing those types of questions as framed by someone else. We are — in effect — asking and answering someone else’s questions. “Many of us are busy and anxious. We are social animals: We listen for the culturally normative thing to do among our …