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Topics: Career Development, Communications Management, Knowledge Management, Lessons Learned
Question or Answer?
I see two trends in this community. Some people tend to ask a lot of questions. Others tend to answer questions asked by others.

While both roles are necessary in any community, do you think people should tend towards one extreme? Or do you feel each person should contribute both ways?
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It depends on persons' capabilities to place questions or answers. I mainly enjoy and learn a lot from good answers placed by many different participants for an interesting question or topic.
Well, the main thing is to contribute and help address others concerns. However, sometimes you need an opinion so you address a question. Contribution in both ways I believe.
I'm reminded of that quote by Pablo Picasso which is occasionally seen at the bottom of these pages: “But they are useless. They can only give you answers.”
Although, I would like to say there should be a balance. In my opinion, we should be striving to stretch in the questions asked and the offering of answers. But, it really depends on what the person believes he/she can contribute/offer to the topic at hand. Sometimes, the question is more important than the actual answer because it gets you thinking... questioning your our approach maybe to some issue. I am still learning much from many of you here Rami, Stephane, George, Sergio, Markus and others. I appreciate you sharing your questions and answers.
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1 reply by George Lewis
Jul 19, 2016 10:34 AM
George Lewis
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Demetrius - You're welcome...
I'm one who rarely asks, because I find that most have already been answered on here. When I have a question I use the search function first- I just did that for "clarity" and got 97 responses. If I still have any questions after I've read those then I'll raise a new one!
Network:4634
I noticed a slide at the end, in one of the webinar that reads - “Questions? If you don't ask you never know".

I also remember a story of Buddhist scholar and a Zen Master - “Empty your cup”

So for me it works as a two way process –

1. When you ask questions, you get to learn something new from answers
2. When you answer, you share your knowledge/experience with others

Contributing either way makes difference!! :)
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1 reply by George Lewis
Jul 19, 2016 10:33 AM
George Lewis
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Anupam - I agree
I may add a new quote from someone who I can't recall right now, which is in alignment with Picasso's:

When I talk, I am just repeating what I already know. When I listen (or read) I might well be learning something new.
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1 reply by Cris Casey
Nov 20, 2017 9:54 AM
Cris Casey
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While you make a great point about listening, there is an old Irish proverb which I think is also applicable: "How do I know what I'm thinking until I hear what I have to say?" In this instance, articulating a question/comment helps to validate understanding regardless of whether feedback is received or not.
The third trend: members with no questions nor answers - the non-participant.

However, some people just quickly check in, but are too busy to look at the questions & answers. Others see the correct answer and move on to something else. Some do not have an interest in answering at all.
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2 replies by George Lewis and Tim PM
Jul 19, 2016 10:32 AM
George Lewis
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Briam - great input!!!
Jul 19, 2016 11:57 AM
Tim PM
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Good point! I used to moderate a web forum (not a PM one), on average each topic had over 100 views per reply, so those members are most likely to be in the majority here too.
I agree tha both ways contributes to the community... good questions, but...

I would ask something else... What about not contributing at all? Or what about those that answers aggresively?

Knowledge should be shared happily :) and we should enjoy life while doing so...
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1 reply by Stéphane Parent
Jul 19, 2016 10:58 AM
Stéphane Parent
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I cannot speak for those who do not participate in the community discussions.

As for the aggressive posters, I must say this community is fairly free of trolls. The only "aggressive" posts I see are usually those who may be a bit blunt because of the language barrier.

Let us not forget that while we have to learn to write effectively, we also have to learn to read effectively.
Jul 19, 2016 10:15 AM
Replying to Brian Wilhelm
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The third trend: members with no questions nor answers - the non-participant.

However, some people just quickly check in, but are too busy to look at the questions & answers. Others see the correct answer and move on to something else. Some do not have an interest in answering at all.
Briam - great input!!!
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