Simon Sinek, author of Start With Why and other books says that “asking questions doesn’t mean you’re the stupidest person in the room; it usually means you’re the only one brave enough to speak up.”
Some of the reasons why we aren’t asking enough questions even when we don’t understand the topic of discussion are the beliefs/thoughts/internal questions we have going in our head:
By asking this question(s), will it make me look “stupid”?
Would I look like the person who doesn’t understand this topic if I ask this question?
It’s actually not relevant to me at all so why ask this question.
I am the “expert” or “smartest” person in this room. Why ask questions and make myself look like a beginner?
Do I have the “authority” to ask questions in this group or in this context?