Why is it important to question things you are not sure about?

This question is from my Business Administration level 2

This is a trait I look for in everyone I ever interview for a job. This is important for two reasons:

First, when you are not sure about something you often will have to act based on something you ASSUME. There is a rather direct explanation of the problems that can happen when you ASSUME things that may not be useful as in answer in class, but it is very illustrative. That is, when you ASSUME you risk making an A S S out of U and ME. When your assumptions overreach the facts at your command you make choices that can be wrong. If those choices only affect you that is one thing. But, most often in a business setting the choices we make affect many people both in the business as well as customers who are the lifeblood of the business. So, your unwillingness to ask questions is not just a problem for you, it can have an impact on many people of which you are not aware because you lack sufficient knowledge.

The second reason it is important to ask question when you are not sure about things is related to the first. People cannot trust those who hide their ignorance. When I interview people for a job, I ask them to tell me about circumstances when they have not completely understood something and how they handled the situation. Then we discuss the importance of asking questions when they are unsure about something. And, I explain that they are much more in jeopardy of losing their job if they hide their ignorance than if the ask for help. Working relationships require a high level of trust. Many coordinated tasks need to be performed by many individuals to make a business work. Everyone is dependent upon each other to do their part. And, if you let me know you need help, not only does that help me trust you, but, we can fix the matter a whole easier up front than if you wait until your ignorance is abudantly apparent because of the mess that has been created by traveling down the wrong path long enough for the mistakes to be clear. Also, additional responsibility only comes to those who are trustworthy. If you want to get ahead in the workplace, you need to be trustworthy.

Hope this helps.

to gain understanding and knowledge

It helps to avoid you making a mistake.

By doing so you are not showing a weakness (how many people perceive the need to ask for guidance). What you are demonstrating is that you have used your powers of analysis on the situation, and discovered there is an issue where your experience/ knowledge does not allow you to make a decision with which you would be confident. You would then seek advice from someone who possesses that knowledge, or indeed has the experience of similar situations, and apply that knowledge to the situation in hand (thus learning by other's experience). Using the better knowledge of others is maximising your company's knowledge (indeed it is important for any successful company to understand the role of knowledge management) and ensures that the best decision is made under the circumstances (i.e. the ultimate decision is taken, or at least advised by, the most appropriate person). So many business problems are caused by operating on assumption or faulty comprehension.

You will go away and do your tasks incorrectly.
You will upset your team members who will then have to rectify your mistakes.
You will be viewed as a liability; someone who is operating counter to the goals of the organisation.
Your incompetence will cost your organisation money.
You may damage the reputation of your organisation.

So that you can be sure about them.

Because then - how would you gain wisdom?

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