Students are always told that there are no stupid questions. The idea is to encourage people to ask questions and learn more. There are stupid questions, though. You probably hear them every day, and may have asked them on occasion.
I’m talking about asking a question you have just been given the answer to. I don’t mean asking a question to clarify what you just heard. I am referring to asking the same question you just got the answer to because you weren’t listening.
Many of us spend more time thinking about what we are going to say rather than listening to what is being said to us. Focus on what you are being told. If you need a moment to formulate a response, take it after you have heard what is being said. If you need to clarify a point, repeat it and ask follow up questions. If you weren’t paying attention, come clean and apologize for being distracted. Asking for information you just received will keep people from having confidence in you.
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