Skip to main content

The Most Important Skill in the Future

· 3 min read
Asif Rehan
Asif Rehan
Senior Software Engineer, ML Infra @ Ford Pro

Asking questions is the most important skill in the future. Finding possible answers to those questions is the next most important skill.

The Power of Questions​

A question helps you land on a set of possible answers or, in the case of open-ended questions, an infinite set of possibilities. These possible answers lead to hypotheses, which help validate or reinforce our knowledge. For the modern entrepreneur, this type of hypothesis testing is crucial.

Asking questions is also an optimal approach to life. The Bellman Equation in Reinforcement Learning models this approach: testing out possible answers and choosing the one that seems best. While you may face failures, statistically, this method gives you the highest chance of success.

Problem Solving Through Questions​

Asking questions is a powerful technique for solving problems, especially personal ones. In a world where the internet provides access to vast amounts of information, the ability to ask the right questions becomes essential for finding meaningful answers. This is the essence of the scientific method.

With more information available to everyone, success will depend on the ability to form logical sequences of questions. Those who can identify problems hidden within questions and pursue solutions will drive positive change. Asking the right questions will be a survival skill in the age of the 4th Industrial Revolution.

Challenging the Status Quo​

Question everything, especially the status quo. Ask yourself: Could this be better? Even small, overlooked problems can lead to impactful solutions. Improving something by just 1% and helping a million people benefit from it creates a significant Total Addressable Market (TAM).

Paul Graham encourages entrepreneurs to seize these opportunities. These micro-problems, when addressed, can lead to solutions that evolve into viable businesses. Asking questions such as "Could this be better?" can uncover these opportunities.

From Incremental Improvements to Big Innovations​

Even tiny improvements can lead to major innovations. Thomas Edison, who held an astounding number of patents, famously said that he rarely had "genuine" ideas but instead improved existing solutions to existing problems. Often, problems disguise themselves as questions.

Frameworks for Asking Better Questions​

Here are a few simple frameworks to help you ask better questions:

  1. Use Basic Math Concepts

    • Can you divide the problem into smaller parts?
    • Could multiple small solutions add up to a larger one?
    • Think critically by asking how you can add, divide, subtract, or multiply concepts.

  2. Find Patterns

    • Look for similarities or dissimilarities.
    • What patterns can you recognize that could help solve the problem?

  3. The "WH" Questions

    • Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How: These questions can guide critical thinking and decision-making.
    • Why are you doing this? What are you going to do? How will you do it?
    • Simon Sinek’s famous TED talk, Start with Why, emphasizes this approach.

  4. Set Timelines

    • Asking "When?" turns a dream into a plan of action.
    • Realizing that life is short and setting deadlines is critical for transforming dreams into reality.

By mastering the skill of asking the right questions, you equip yourself with the most valuable tool for success in the future. Whether as an entrepreneur, leader, or problem-solver, your ability to question effectively will set you apart.