Stop stressing over asking dumb questions at work

Stop stressing over asking dumb questions at workStop stressing over asking dumb questions at workIts easy to feel insecure when you have a whole lot of trouble asking questions at work, but you dont have to. Heres what to do instead.Just be yourselfPatrick Allan, a Lifehacker staff writer, video host, film producer and more, gives specific, casual examples on the site about how were often far too concerned with what other people think we know, and how we try to bridge the gap by learning more, or lying about knowledge we actually dont have.After explaining the pitfalls of this approach, he writes that you should just be upfront about how unfamiliar you are with the topic and start asking away.You retain your genuineness because youre being honest, you dont look like a fool thats bogging down the conversation with your lack of knowledge, and lastly, you actually open yourself up to learning something, Allan writes. But fruchtwein importantly, people like you more when you ask questio ns. We love to feel knowledgeable on a subject, and what we love even more is to be the ones to share that knowledge. It makes us feel useful and heard.Give yourself something to work with firstThis can really help take the edge off.Katie Douthwaite Wolf, now a content strategist at Right Source Marketing, writes in The Muse about how you should start with what you know after doing some learning first.Assuming you do some prior research or clarify at least part the answer on your own, you should now have a vague idea of the specific information youre looking for. Maybe youre not sure how an entire website is coded, but you at least know that your company uses PHP - so use that to frame your question. Instead of asking a programmer Uh, whats all this gibberish? you can ask Im vaguely familiar with PHP, but could you explain the elements of the new site feature in laymans terms? she writes.Dont just ask blindlyThis is never, ever a good idea - especially at work.Margie Warrell, aut hor of Stop Playing Safe, told The Washington Post about why this is important.You wouldnt want to ask why your colleague was promoted over you at a team meeting. Also be aware of timing. The day after youre told your project is over budget and behind deadline probably isnt the time to ask about that pay raise, she told the site.