The Power of the Dumb Question

I recently began taking a short course in coaching. 
I'll admit that the two things I have learned so far are:
1 - I do not want to be a professional coach and
2 - there is power in questions, the dumber, the better.

A question empowers the person questioned.  It bestows on them the title of expert, even if it is for just a brief moment.  We all want to consider ourselves experts at one thing or another, how great to have someone in managment, someone we consider a leader, ask us a question?!

The most powerful questions are the open-ended ones that show we are not the expert; the "Dumb" question.
For example:

Manager - I would like our working relationship to be strong.  As a part of that growth, I need to know what do you need from me, as a manager?
Staff - I need direct and detailed instructions for any new jobs.  I need to know what you want, how you want it and when it is due.
Manager - If I do not give you all the information you need, what kind of response should I expect from you?
Staff - I will get frustrated
Manager - What will that look like, what should I be looking for?
Staff - I will become very quiet, I will be short tempered and perhaps sullen.
Manager - I will make sure that any new tasks have all the needed instructions and dates when I present them to you.

What's the dumb question - "What will that look like?"
Don't we assume that we know what frustrated is? that we can pick out the frustrated person at a glance?  Yes and no.  We know what WE look like frustrated (or angry or hurt or overwhelmed) but every person is different.

As an Entrepreneur - as a manager and leader - don't assume you know, ask! Ask the dumb question, empower your staff, your co-workers, your committee members, your board members. Let them be the experts, even if it is just being an expert on themselves.  It's an eye-opening experience.