Ask More Than You Tell

When you mentor,
the temptation is to talk.

To share what you know.
To give the advice
you wish someone had given you.

It feels generous.
It's often the lazy option.

The better tool is a question.

"What do you think is going on?"
"What have you ruled out?"
"What would you try if I weren't here?"

A good question does something
telling never can.
It makes them think,
and it shows you how they think,
so you can teach the thinking itself.

Advice solves today.
A question builds the person
who solves tomorrow alone.

Keep a rough ratio in mind:
ask more than you tell.

The best mentors talk least
and leave people strongest.

– Asael Shinder