"You cannot teach a man anything; you can only help him find it within himself." — Galileo Galilei

Back in secondary school, I was that kid—the one who actually enjoyed math. I know, I know. Somebody had to be the weirdo. I loved it so much that it became my favorite subject all the way through high school and university. To this day, I still enjoy solving complex math problems just for fun

While most students groaned at equations, I was having fun solving problems. Naturally, because I was good at it, some of my classmates came to me for help.

But here’s the twist: my teaching style was a bit unusual. At least, that’s what they told me.

Instead of just handing them the answers (which, let’s be honest, is what most of them wanted), I bombarded them with questions, starting from the basics and working our way up. I wanted them to think for themselves:

"Okay, what do you already understand about this problem?"
"If we break it down, what’s the first step?"
"Why do you think that formula applies here?"

It drove them crazy. They’d groan, roll their eyes, and beg me to just give them the answer already. But the few who stuck with me? They didn’t just pass their exams—they actually understood math. And that made all the difference.

I didn’t realize it back then, but I’ve since learned that asking questions is incredibly powerful. When someone asks for advice or an opinion, they usually expect a direct answer, not a series of questions. But I’ve found that asking the right questions can lead to clarity and better responses.

Have you noticed how people can get defensive when you ask them questions? It’s like flipping a switch! They don’t realize that without clarity, any answers you give will be superficial.

Ask someone for advice, and they’ll give you a quick fix. Tell a doctor you have a headache, and a quack will throw painkillers at you. But a real doctor? They’ll ask you:

"Where exactly does it hurt?"

"How long has this been going on?"

"Any other symptoms?"

Why? Because he understands that a headache is just a symptom, not the cause. He might even run a few tests. This is all about seeking clarity to give you the best treatment.

The same goes for consultants, pastors, coaches, and even friends. If you jump straight to solutions without asking questions, you’re just slapping a band-aid on a wound.

Think about it:

Questions bring clarity. (Ever argued with someone only to realize you weren’t even talking about the same thing?)

Questions uncover the real problem. (That "money issue" might actually be a spending habit, a fear, or a bad business model.)

Questions make people think for themselves. (And that’s how real change happens.)

But here’s the funny part—people hate questions.

Ask someone "Why do you think that?" and they’ll either:

1. Get defensive ("Why are you interrogating me?!")
2. Get annoyed ("Just tell me what to do!")
3. Realize they don’t actually know (...awkward silence.)

And that’s a shame—because the best answers come from them, not you.

I love this funny definition of a consultant: "A consultant is someone who takes the watch off your wrist, tells you what time it is, and then keeps the watch."

It’s funny because it’s true. A good consultant (or doctor, or pastor, or friend) doesn’t just give answers—they pull them out of you. Because deep down, you probably already know the solution. You just need the right questions to help you see it.

If I could give one piece of advice to pastors, it would be this: when someone comes to you with a problem, instead of jumping straight into prayer and casting out demons (that may not even exist), take a moment to ask questions. Find out what’s really going on before diving into the spiritual stuff. You might discover that you’re not the right person to help, and that’s okay. You can direct them to someone who can.

Did you know you can have a money problem, and I might not have any cash to give you? But through asking the right questions, I could help you find a solution that doesn’t cost a dime!

So, to all the consultants, doctors, coaches, pastors, and anyone who helps others: embrace the power of questioning.

Next time someone asks you for advice, don’t give them an answer right away. Ask them:

"What have you tried so far?"

"What’s stopping you from fixing this?"

"If you did know the answer, what would it be?"

Watch their reaction. Some will get frustrated. But the ones who stick with it? They’ll walk away with something better than an answer—they’ll walk away with understanding.

And if you’re the one asking for help? Let people ask you questions. It might feel annoying at first, but trust me—it’s the fastest way to a real solution. Superficial questions lead to flimsy solutions that don't last.

By the way, if you’ve ever been annoyed by someone answering your question with another question… maybe it’s time for a little self-reflection.

Good morning and have a great day.