Competiton #5
31 March 2026Listening
Welcome to this week’s competition. Every Monday at 10am UTC, a new competition opens and the winners are announced on Friday at 2pm UTC. If you win, you’ll earn three stars, and your entry will be pinned to the top of the discussion.
This week, you’ve been practising your listening skills. When listening and trying to understand someone else’s opinion, what is an important question you should ask yourself?
To enter the competition
- Choose one question you would ask yourself
- Explain why is important for good listening and understanding
You may want to start like this:
I think an important question to ask myself is [your reflective question]. This would help me understand others better because [what you might learn about others].
This competition has now closed.
🥇 Well done to the competition winners for this week for your thoughtful and reflective answers!
Comments (103)
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As far as I'm concerned, an essential question to ask myself while I am in class is: am I listening to my partners to understand and learn something new, or am I just waiting for my turn to speak? This might help me understand others better due to the fact that if I'm not paying real attention to my partners, little will I know about their own opinions. Consequently, I only focus on my own interests and when someone makes me a proposal or suggests me something, as I don`t know others points of view, I will accept if it is in favour of my opinion.
If I ask myself this question, I will learn to listen to others, accepting more opinions and be open-minded. -
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I strongly agree with you, responsible_independence! Because our classmates have a lot of different preferences and opinions, it could help us understand others because listening to other preferences from classmates helps stretch our brain, and also expands your knowledge on the topic of you and your classmates.
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I absolutely agree with you, our classmates have lots of opinions and lots of things to say and want to say what they think, and it can help us understand others, if we are listening and hearing them out, and it also help us think better, and it can help us expand our intelligence.
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I believe one important question I should ask myself is, “What am I assuming right now, and could I be wrong?” Asking this helps me understand others more clearly, because misunderstandings often happen when we listen through our own perspective instead of the other person’s reality. When I pause to examine my assumptions, I give myself the chance to truly hear what someone is saying rather than what I expect or believe they mean. This shift helps me become a more thoughtful and patient listener.
This question is essential for effective listening because it encourages humility and open-mindedness. Instead of immediately agreeing, disagreeing, or planning my response, I become more receptive to different viewpoints. It also reminds me that everyone has unique experiences, struggles, and backgrounds that shape how they communicate. Recognizing that my first impression may not reflect the full truth allows me to listen more carefully and ask clearer, more meaningful questions.
Questioning my assumptions also helps me notice when my own mood, bias, or past experiences affect how I interpret others. For example, if someone sounds upset, I might assume they are angry with me when they could simply be stressed or tired. By challenging that assumption, I can respond with understanding instead of defensiveness.
Overall, this practice leads to more respectful and meaningful conversations. People feel safer expressing themselves when they feel heard, and I grow as a person by learning from others rather than just reinforcing my own views. -
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I absolutely agree with you on that because I am always guessing what will happen later whether it the next moment or hours or months later. I believe that this question is important to and necessary to consider as it will help you some point .
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An important question I should ask myself when listening to someone else’s opinion is: Am I truly trying to understand, or am I just waiting for my turn to speak? Real listening means being open to ideas that may be different from my own and making a sincere effort to see the situation from the other person’s point of view. It requires patience, respect, and genuine curiosity, because every opinion is shaped by personal experiences, culture, emotions, and beliefs that may be very different from mine.
When I slow down and focus on understanding rather than judging or interrupting, conversations become more meaningful, calm, and respectful. I may discover new information, learn a different way of thinking, or even change my own perspective in a positive way. Good listening also helps reduce misunderstandings and conflict, because people feel valued and heard when someone pays real attention to their words.
In this way, listening is not only a basic communication skill but also an important life skill that builds trust, encourages cooperation, and creates stronger relationships between people with different backgrounds and opinions. By practicing careful and respectful listening, we can grow as individuals and contribute to more thoughtful, peaceful, and understanding communities. -
I think an important question to ask myself is, Am I actually understanding what they're trying to say?
Sometimes when someone is talking, I just nod or say yeah, but I might not really think deeply about their words. If I ask myself this question, it's reminds me to pay full attention and not get distracted. It also helps me not judge them quickly just because I have a different opinion.
Good listening means trying to see things from their side, even if I don't fully agree. When I do that, the other person feels respected, and the conversation becomes more meaningful. -
I think an important question to ask myself is : am I being too quiet around others? This might help me understand others better doe to the fact that if me being quite makes them feel as though I'm not interested in their conversation than I want to focus on that. If I'm not responding/replying fast enough I want to change that. I want to make them feel like I am there with them in there darkest and happiest of times. From their point of view they see me as a quite and lonely person but I would want change that. If I talk more and look more interested I will change myself.
If I ask myself this question, I will speak more, I will respond and reply more and change the perspectives around me. -
According to my research the most important question to ask myself is how am I cooperating with the environment , when I do not give others chance to speak how do they feel and if I'm to be in their shoes how would I feel the answer to this question is I will feel intimidated and suppressed
This helps me to understand others because of a riddle I remember ( do to others what you want them to do to you ) this riddle help me to remember if I don't allow people to share their opinion by listening karma would surely come for me treat humans like humans because we were created of the same God and of the same sand we should not oppress those we think we are smarter than or better than them because we don't know what will happen in the future
In conclusion we should allow others to speak through the means of listening which is a very important skills in the festival. Thanks. -
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I believe that one of the important questions that I can ask myself is " Do I get the main point of what the other person is saying, or am I getting distracted by the details that I do not agree with?" This question is important because it encourages me to get the main point of what the other person is saying instead of getting distracted by the details that I do not agree with or that are based on assumptions or biases that the other person might have.
I think that sometimes we get easily distracted or drawn into certain words or ideas that we do not agree with or that we find offensive or disagreeable. This can cause us to lose the main point of what the other person is saying or the main idea that the other person is trying to get across.
However, if I ask myself this question, I can then practice active listening because I can then get the main point of what the other person is saying while also paying attention to the words that the other person is using. This can then help me understand the reasoning or the feeling that the other person might be using or expressing while giving their point of view.
I can then use this opportunity to learn from the other person and get a different point of view, while also gaining new insights from the other person. -
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If someone was talking about their opinions, and I had a strong opinion and I had prepared what I’d be about to say, I would (try) ask myself, “is there any way this can come across as rude?” I don’t want to sound rude when sharing my opinion that contrasts with someone else, because they might get annoyed and start being rude because I used the wrong tone or wrong words.
I want to understand other’s opinions and their views and aspects of different topics, so I try to listen without interrupting, and then get my point across after them. If they say something I’m interested in during the beginning of the sentence, I’d say something like, “going back to when you said ——, I think ——.” I would try drag the conversation back to the thing that I have prepared something to say about. If I’ve made my point and no one has anything else to say, I’ll try change the subject to something else (change the subject as in a different thing inside of the main thing).
Thank you. -
I think an important question to ask myself if “am I listening to everyone in the class”
I think listening is very important even if you think you have a good opinion it’s still important to listen to others.
They might have an even better idea or you might have an answer to there question. Even if you think that you’ve got a really good answer and that no one is capable to have a better understanding then that’s not fair you should always listen. And if you don’t listen at all you wouldn’t know what everyone’s talking about! -
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I think an important question to ask myself is: “Am I listening to understand, or just listening to reply?”
This would help me understand others better because, in real life, many disagreements don’t come from people being irrational, but from people not feeling heard. For example, in debates about politics, religion, or even everyday issues like school or work, it’s easy to mentally rehearse a counter-argument instead of engaging with what the other person is actually saying. When I focus on understanding first, I’m more likely to recognise the values or experiences shaping their view, even if I still disagree with their conclusion.
There is also a parallel with chess. If I play a move while fixated only on my own plan, I often miss my opponent’s threats. Strong players, however, first ask what their opponent intends before deciding how to respond. Listening works in the same way: understanding someone’s position is not passive, but strategic. It allows for better judgement rather than impulsive reaction.
Philosophically, this reflects the idea that understanding precedes evaluation. Thinkers like Socrates emphasised questioning as a way of uncovering meaning rather than winning arguments. By asking whether I am listening to understand or to reply, I remind myself that good listening is an active discipline; one that leads to clearer thinking, more respectful dialogue, and deeper insight into others. -
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One question I'd ask myself is " Am I right, or is there another side to this" ? Asking this question to myself that if I ask from another persons perspective than my mind might be changed it shows we should also listen to others acknowledge if you got it wrong and look at both sides of the story. This enables me to be a thoughtful and patient person when I debate with fellow students in year 6
My question shows that I have effective listening and humility being open minded to others beliefs even if I disagree. It also reminds me of if I was in there shoes what would I do there struggles pain suffering I might not yet have learnt shapes how I communicate with others. Recognizing that I'm not always correct will help to listening to others beliefs or ideas, enabling me to understand and ask more knowledgeable questions.
Questioning what I say or do helps me notice small details in paragraphs of writing that might help me understand the real truth and how I know others might want to say things but it doesn't come out right I can be patient and acknowledge that they might not be well. This helps us respect others ideas.
In conclusion practicing asking questions to yourself can make you a more respected and thoughtful listener paying attention to others speech ( language) this will help us to be more better communities being peaceful loving and curious to other ideas this allows my to not in force my view but be patient to others. -
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I think an important question to ask myself is: ”What has this person been through that makes them see it this way”
Sometimes it’s easier to hear someone’s opinion and instantly compare it to my own. If it’s different, I might feel confused, defensive or even frustrated. But when I stop and ask myself this question, it helps me pause and remember that everyone carries different experiences I can’t see. Maybe their background, their family, their culture, or something difficult they went through has shaped the way they think.
Asking this question makes my listening more genuine. Instead of just hearing words, I start listening for the feelings and experiences behind them. It reminds me that people aren’t just opinions, they’re stories.
From the Topic Talk, this shows different perspectives and opinions, from this it could possibly challenge in what we believe, furthermore from this question it could me and others stay open-minded and thoughtful about other individuals views. Overall, from the combination of listening and this question, it is about trying to understand someone’s world even if it is completely different from mine, this is what a makes a conversation meaningful and powerful. -
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I agree with you. One's experience actually shapes how one see life so i would ask myself what life experience has led them to this conclusion. This will help me understand them better because it moves the focus from their words to their personal history as everyone's perspective is attributed to a collection of their past failures, successes and lessons learnt. Most arguments occurs because we ignore the story behind the person. It always important to think about how a person arrived at their views.
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I think an important question to ask myself is that what would I do/think if I were someone else. This question can help me be able to view the situation into others' perspective. When sharing opinions or working on team projects, we sometimes get caught up in our own perspectives and fail to understand or even to listen others' perspective/opinion. When listening and trying to understand someone else's opinion, thinking about what others might perceive or do in a given situation can help us see things from a new perspective and teach us how to understand others better. This can builds our empathy, reduces prejudice, and enhance communication by allowing us to understand others' emotion and challenges.
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I already made the experience a few times that I told someone something and the other person shared their opinion with me. That sometimes doesn’t feel good, because the other person only uses the situation to represent themselves. It would be way better better if the other person at first only listens and asks questions. Because sometimes its not about yourself but about another person. That’s why I would always ask myself: Do I really empathize with the other person or am I only listening and then start a new topic?
I think it is important that there’s a give and take, because this way of listening takes way more time and energy. Ideally the person you listen to will some day do the same for you. It might be that during a conversation one person talks more than the other because the situation requires it and the other person might not be able to share their opinion, but next time it can be the other way around. -
I think that an important question to ask myself is, 'How did they think of that, why did they chose to speak about their opinion in this subject of conversation and how can I challenge or build upon their point? '.This would allow me to understand how strongly they feel about the topic and can allow me to look at things from a new perspective. As well as this if I am questioning myself about their opinion it allows me to focus on what they are saying and hone in on anything I had not thought of previously but also see whether I am paying attention to people to improve myself or impatiently waiting for my turn to speak and therefore going over what I will say when I start sharing my opinion.
This question as well as many others has helped me to identify the error of my ways in that I often do not compute what the speaker is expressing and I often do not bother to listen to others due to the fact that I am nervous that I will forget what I was going to say. I have realised that when I listen to others I often end up integrating their idea into mine and I receive more positive feedback from teachers and peers. -
One important question for me is: do I really need to act immediately I hear information about something or should I understand and reflect before taking actions 🤔?
People are always in haste to respond without reflecting on other options.This happened in our classroom few years ago, our teacher whispered to the first person in the classroom saying "you're looking good"and told the student to tell the next person we continued to tell our selves until we got to the last person when he was asked "what did you hear? ,He replied ''I hear are you going to listen " but this was not the initial thing that was said but because one of us has failed to listen we all got the wrong information.
As individuals we as aspected to always listen with keen interest so that we end up passing the wrong information to others or even take actions that we are not meant to.
When an information is been passed down we need to always pay close attention in order not to miss any given information.
It will help us to understand others because it helps us to stay away from accusing others for what they didn't say, it also helps students because when you develop the habit of understanding what is said by the teacher it makes reading easier and more important. -
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Great example!
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wow, good extructure!
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I think an important question to ask myself is, how can I listen to a person, and he only listens to his ideas and perspectives, and he does not allow anyone to share his ideas? If someone stops me from sharing my opinions, I will be like an incarcerated person who is in a cage.
First of all, listening is an extremely significant skill that helps us spread our perspectives also it helps us listen to others to gain different experiences and ideas.
Why does not someone listen to my ideas and only listens to himself.
1. He or she was brought up not to have democracy
2. he or she was experiencing bad parenting or mental health problems.
If someone who is older than me and he ignored my ideas or opinions and only listened to himself, will this be fair? In my school, there is a teacher that does not allow anyone to share his ideas or perspectives or even debate with him. Furthermore, if this happened, he would shout to the student. This made his sessions way more boring than the other sessions. Although I talked to him calmly and said that the students had their rights to share their ideas and perspectives, he mocked me Infront of the whole class consequently I and my friends decided to go to the principle moreover in fact, we headed to him and confessed our problem to him. After this day, the teacher changed to better and began listening to us.
This problem made me improve my talking skills (talking calmly with people) and it made me more patient.
To conclude, all people must respect others while talking and hear their ideas.
Did you face a problem like this before? -
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I like your question quickwhitted_knowledge. I also agree with you.
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I think an important question to ask myself is whether am I actually valuable to others or just a person to spend their time happily? In my opinion this is a question many people should ask themselves.
This would help me understand others as far as I am crucial to their lives. If I could answer this question I would say that for some people who are always there for me and care for my life and personality I am important. But there is one type of friendship which usually both of the people involved know that it isn’t 100% real. People can test and see that if they ask themselves whether they could tell this person an important secret about their life. If they can’t then it’s a matter of time until that friendship ends.
In conclusion, if someone hangs out with an other person in order to benefit from him then this relationship is always fake. So, people should know when to trust someone or not especially if this affects their life.
Thank you, -
This question is very important for good listening because it helps me stay humble and open-minded. Instead of quickly judging what someone says or preparing my reply, it encourages me to truly focus on understanding their message. It reminds me that every person has different life experiences and personal struggles that influence the way they speak and behave. When I accept that my first thoughts might not be completely correct, I become more patient and listen more deeply.
It also helps me recognize how my own emotions, bias, or past experiences can affect my understanding. For instance, if someone speaks in a harsh tone, I may assume they are upset with me, but in reality, they may just be exhausted or stressed. By questioning my assumptions, I can react calmly and with empathy rather than becoming defensive.
Overall, this habit improves communication and creates more respectful conversations. It makes people feel comfortable sharing their thoughts, and it helps me grow by learning from others instead of only sticking to my own opinions. -
I think an important question to ask myself is what life experiences shaped this person's view to be so different from mine?
This is vital because it helps me focus on the human story behind an opinion instead just the argument. By practicing empathy, I can see if their smart move or dangerous mistake comes from a history I have not experienced. This helps me understand others because it turn a debate into problem-solving. Instead of trying to win I am looking for the root cause of our disagreement, which is the only way to build a safer world together.
Signing off: fair minded elephant -
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I think a great would be: am I trying to understand what the the other person is saying or just don't care? This would help me really put into consideration what the person is trying to show me and listen well because who knows maybe I learn something new.
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I agree with you because, sometimes I try to understand the person who I'm talking to like asking them a bit more information about what the person is telling me and i'm gonna admit that sometimes I just don't care about what the person is saying like I'm just saying ok, yeah, I know, but I don't really pay attention to a single word they say. 😀
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I think an important question to ask myself is: do I want to learn more about this topic? This would help me understand others better because it would create the thought of what I truly care about and what my true morals are. If I do really care about this topic, it will help me resonate and understand the question more beneficially. If I do not, it will push me to still be engaged in what my peers are saying to stay respectful, but also make a note that, in the future, this is not something that would be uplifting to my learning career.
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I believe that an important question to ask myself is:
"Am I thinking in every direction possible?"
This helps me understand people better by putting myself in other people's shoes. You may learn the actual depth of what others are going through by trying to just imagine living like them, or you may see how lucky they are to experience the things they do. Either way, you can certainly learn new things about others. The reason why I like this question is because, it's easy to assume so much about someone when you don't understand them, but most of the time, you can only see the surface unless you make the effort to look deeper. For example, sometimes people can seem quiet, or distant, and this can make it easy to assume that they are simply uncomfortable, but when you put yourself in your shoes, you may realize that you could be stressed out because of other problems regarding the situation completely. Sometimes, this question doesn't always work, because the person may not show other detail that may show why exactly they are quiet or distant. But that's where you can observe more, does the person seem sleepy? Are they nervous? Or are they stressed out from the environment itself? This skill can also help when you're trying to problem solve, the question opens up a door that can be full of blindspots, because when you only focus on the solutions, it opens up tiny gaps that can build up. So when you look further, you can find more problems to fix. This shows that the question can help in more than just one way, but also requires more detail. -
I think an important question to ask myself is, “Am I really trying to understand this person, or am I just waiting for my turn to speak?”
This would help me understand others better because sometimes we listen just to reply, not to truly understand. If I remind myself to focus on their perspective instead of preparing my own argument, I might notice their feelings, experiences, and reasons more clearly. It helps me slow down and think about why they believe what they believe, not just whether I agree or disagree.
Good listening is important because it builds respect and reduces misunderstandings. When people feel heard, conversations become more meaningful and less like arguments. Asking myself this question helps me stay open-minded and thoughtful, which leads to better discussions and stronger relationships. -
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One question I would ask myself is, “How does my view positively, and negatively affect a community, people, or organizations, and how does theirs affect these same groups? What can I change about my opinion to cater to the negative effects based on what I’ve learnt?” Often, I can be stubborn in my perspectives, and even if I recognize the downsides, I often forget that I can adjust and compromise to mitigate issues. That’s where this question comes in. It weighs all sides of the story, and forces me to utilize what I’ve learnt to form a new perspective instead of being stubborn.
I’ve learnt through this competition, that there isn’t always a single correct answer, often just answers which match the problem the closest, and can always be reformed depending on new events. My opinion needs to be just like that, where it constantly changes based on new events so I can think critically, and weigh outcomes. This would also allow me to be increasingly compassionate, and able to compromise, because then I can see my standing from their perspective, thus understanding them, and what their priorities are.
Questioning myself gives me paths to act on opinions, which don’t negatively affect others. This allows me to act on what I’m passionate about, (ex: global warming) in a way which everyone is able to understand. For these reasons, I believe the most important thing to do, is weigh pro’s and con’s of each side, and act on that knowledge. -
I think an important question to ask myself is: am I listening to everyone in my class or just certain people? This might help me understand other ways people think and I could think in other ways instead of my way or the people I'm close with. If I start listening to others and not just myself and my friends or family I could think in new ways and I could see in other people's point of views.
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This is a Great Strategy To see peoples Point of view. And Its why I agree with this comment. Understanding people is a great tool in tough places, its always not good just to listen to your self.
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I think an important question to ask myself when listening to someone is, is this truly Important to me, how can it contradict to my life, how can I help myself with it, what ideas does it add to me and finally what would I gain from it.
It is very easy to listen to someone but at times hard to apply it in our life or our daily duty, this is because of how interested we felt to act or how valuable we expected a speech to be.
Most I dividusls gives their best to what the really want and that is why we need a rare thoughts in making reconsideration based on what we hear from others. Giving a person a listening ear shows that there is something I actually need and want to grab at that moment and picturing my ideas related to whom I'm listening to, entails attentiveness. You can only learn more when you listen, so basically my actions in listening is based on the ability to learn more and improve my minds growth and idea.
Most cases both wrong and correct information are spread but while listening, you analyze everything in order to make the right decision on what to do, whom to believe, that comes your critical thinking to solve problems by speaking for yourself and doing the right thing and not what you think is right. Listening is very essential as it relates to a cognitive skill, so many reasons on listening varies but majorly it is usually backed on messages or information gained at last. -
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One question I'd ask myself is: "Is my identity attached to my belief so strongly that questioning it feels like questioning myself?"
This question is very important to me, because belief is involuntary. Beliefs are often unconscious responses to what our brain perceives information. It develops time to time through our surroundings, family, culture, experiences and psychological factors. Because they grow deeply, beliefs/opinions often feel natural or unquestionable, like it's a part of who we are. Beliefs can be our identity.
When someone is against a belief that's deeply rooted, it can trigger a strong emotional reaction. It can feel like they're attacking us, not just our opinion. This is why we become quite defensive without even realizing it, because that belief is attached strongly to our identity. However, asking this question can help us realize that although belief is involuntary. You'll slowly realize that your identity is much larger than a single opinion. This psychological security will make you a better listener. You'd understand that the person speaking has their own beliefs, formed from involuntarily by their own personal factors. Recognizing this helps you see that their own perspective is not simply a random choice or an attempt to oppose you, but the result of complex influences they didn't fully control. This increases understanding, as well as the need to know what formed their perspective. In conclusion, true listening begins the moment we realize our identity is bigger than our opinion, and that others are shaped by experiences as deep as ours. -
A question everybody should ask themselves is "Am I being reasonable".
Answering that question will help you make better decisions, it helped me lots.
Lets say you are in an argument, you have to listen to the opposing side or that is not an argument, that is two people talking to walls. It can also help you in other ways, like not getting scamed, just ask yourself "Am I being reasonable buying this" or "Would any reasonable person sell something at such a low price".
I think that making sure you are reasonable is a key asppect of making good dexisions, and one question you should ask yourself on the daily. -
I think an important question to ask myself is if I am listening to others people opinions.This would help me understand others better because I could see how other people think and learn new thinks from them.Also I could use other people opinions in my personal routine.In addition I believe that I can change the way I see thinks and how I am prossesing thinks.
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I think an important question to ask myself is:Do you really fully understand what the person talking to you wants to say?.This would help me understand others better because at this point i would think again if im assuming something or if im thinking on the point of view of the person talking to me right now correctly.
In my opinion,it would be very useful and beneficial for you to exchange your point of view with the others.This will help us grow mentally and learn how to communicate in a good and gentle way ,trying not to offend the others.I also believe this action might help us to have different point of view as we grow and have more communication experiences and better communication skills which are essential for the present world.
Secondly,exchanging opinion with others will help you understand the world better,whether they are elders,teens or kids younger than you.This may sound easy but you need to be careful and be able to except new or different perspectives,you need to be open enough and try not to think that your opinions are right,there are no opinions which are wrong or right,,its just that we assume they are right or wrong.
To sum up,i was really helped by this question and i really believe you should try it too.There are many people with different perspectives ,cultures,and from different countries,the world is very big and it would be very beneficial and fun to talk and discuss about a topic with different people! -
When someone is talking people should listen so if they ask something about what they were saying they will know what to say just so they know that they said the right thing
This is the reason why some people know the right thing about what they said bye thanks for reading this hope you have a good day 👋 -
When someone is talking people should listen so if they ask something about what they were saying they will know what to say just so they know that they said the right thing
This is the reason why some people know the right thing about what they said bye thanks for reading this hope you have a good day 👋 -
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One question I would ask myself is, "Why does this person think this way and what experiences made them feel this way ?". This would help me understand others better because it reminds me to really listen closely to what they are saying, not just their words but also their feelings.
I need to understand what is making them think that way. I should pay attention to their circumstances, lifestyle and experiences. I should try putting myself in their shoes and imagine what it is like to be them. This helps me see things from their point of view.
It is also important to remember that understanding someone does not mean I have to agree with them all the time. I may have difference of opinion also, but I should understand why they think that way. This will help me how I have to respond them respectfully even if I disagree with their point.
I think we all need to accept that everyone thinks differently. No two people see the world in exactly the same way. Being open minded help us grow, learn new things and get along better with others.
Accepting different views does not mean they are right but it does mean we respect their right to think and be themselves.
Good Listening helps to build trust and stronger relationships. -
I think an important question to ask myself is "What part of this person's day am i not seeing right now?". If someone is being rude or quiet, it is very easy to think they are mean. But asking myself this question would help me realize they might be dealing with a personal struggle, a loss or they are having a bad morning.
It would help me turn my judgement into curiosity and helps me listen with a softer heart. -
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The question I would ask myself is "am I listening to this person or I'm just looking for a reason to prove myself right?"
Nowadays, people want to always win arguments and true listening is becoming rare. If I ask myself this, I would notice when I am just waiting for my turn to speak. It helps me understand that someone's perspective or opinion is not a threat to mine. Also, it helps me know that it is just another piece of puzzle that helps me see the whole picture. -
I think one question I would ask myself is, "How would I want to be heard if I were the one sharing something difficult?"
This, I believe, is about radical empathy. It reminds me to concentrate wholly on a discussion, make eye contact, and give my full presence. When I treat someone's words as valuable, they feel safe enough to want to open up. It teaches me that listening is actually a gift you could give to someone. -
I think an important question to ask myself is, "What is the hidden emotion or life experience behind the words this person is choosing to say?" This would help me understand others better because it moves my focus from the surface-level noise of a conversation to the deeper human reality underneath it. Often, when someone is being difficult, loud, or even unusually quiet, they are not trying to be an obstacle; they are simply reacting to a story I do not know yet. By asking this, I become an "emotional translator" rather than a passive listener.
It reminds me that anger can be a mask for fear, and silence can be a sign of being overwhelmed. When I search for 'why' instead of just reacting to the 'what,' I create a safe space for people to be vulnerable. -
I think an important question to ask myself is: “Am I actually listening to what they’re saying and how they feel, or am I just waiting so I can talk next?”
This helps me understand people better because when I really pay attention to their words and how their voice sounds and their face looks, I can figure out what’s really going on with them instead of just guessing. Like if my friend is upset but trying to act okay, I might miss it if I’m already thinking about my own story. Asking myself that question makes me stop and actually hear them, so I don’t say something dumb by accident. Plus when you listen for real, your friends feel like you care about them and it makes your friendship way stronger. -
In my opinion an important question to ask my self is Do they (people around me such as students,friends) care about their education?
Since this question is a Yes or No question I will be answering in both ways.If they answer No this tells me they don't care about their future,it will tell me that they will not be successful or not want to be successful,they will be nobody when they grow up.But if they answer Yes it will tell me that they do care for their education and will want to be successful or will be successful.
Many students take school like a game that is why right now I'm telling you to please care about school because first it is important to our life,second it helps us to when we get older we are prepared,And third do it for your family for your parents,our parents work hard so we can be successful,they care for us,they feed us,and help us.This is why please just don't take this as a game ok?well I wish everyone the best. -
I think an important question to ask myself is one, is the evidence right two, is this important or unimportant.This would help me understand others better because I would be able to understand why the wrote what they did and if they have facts and evidence to back up what their say and to know If this is meant to help or to just to have and opinion.
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I think an important question to ask myself is "How is this person feeling right now?" This would help me understand others better because when people talk, they're not just saying words- they have feelings too. Like if my friends says" whatever, I don't care "about not getting picked for the football team, they might actually be really sad or mad inside but they don't want to show it because they might think it makes them look weak or babyish. Or if someone is talking really fast about their Weekend plans, they might be super excited even if they're trying to act cool about it because they don't want people to think they're weird for getting so hyped up. Sometimes when my auntie asks me how school was and I say "fine, I might actually just failed and test and be frustrated. when someone knows I care about how they feel, not just what they're saying, they usually want to talk to me more and trust me with bigger problems at home or crushes they have.
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I'm thinking of an important question by asking myself if I'm in my class group project do I ignore their ideas and question just for myself to do my idea or to listen and find if me and my team can come to a agreement about the assignment.This would improve understand other better because, by showing and explaining that listening is great for communication and sharing comments like Gmail.
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I think an important question to ask myself is why am i on this planet?, why am i here. This would help me understand others better because when i understand my purpose i will be able to distinguish what to aim for, what not to and how it will affect people and my environment or even the world around me and how to react when things do not go as planned and the level of doing things.
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When I try to understand someone's opinion automatically I think that it would have advantages and disadvantages so the important question which ask myself is what are the consequences or disadvantages can occur due to this opinion as if many disadvantages occur then it wouldn't be a successful opinion so why I say that this is a important question is because without knowing the consequences if you do something it definitely goes to a wrong path but if you think clearly about the consequences and the solution to manage it and make it clear then everything will run smooth.
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I think an important question to ask myself is “Am I truly empathising and connecting or what if I reply something sound rude and doesn't comfort them?" This question help me to understand others better because I could focus on their feelings not just my response and this prevents from making quick judgement and if I listened to them , I could learn from their experience. In addition this encourages me to listen patiently and to be straight to the point and then analyse that what should say , what should not and to prevent misunderstanding.
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Hi i am rhetorical_whale, if i didn't agree with the other person's opinion and found it rude or offensive i would tell myself that....
is this really worth having an argument with them ? If it comes out rude or upsets someone then it would put me in the wrong.
I would tell myself to except that that is their opinion,and if i do really disagree i can say it in my head to check if it was not rude in any way. Then i would tell them my opinion!
This could prove that u might off not thought about the others persons opinion and might even agree with them!
I would also say that I cant always be right and could learn an important lesson and except what they think and to not have any rudeness or upsetting them in any way possible.
this is my opinion
thanks! -
I think an important question i would ask myself is : " If i were in their situation right now how would i feel". This would help me understand them better because, by understanding their feeling we can understand the actual meaning they want to imply.
A lot of people tend to have their own ways of speaking. This allows the sentences to sometimes have different meanings implied. So by knowing how they're feeling we would know the context of what they're saying.
Even though this wouldn't be enough to truly know and understand the conversation, we would atleast understand the context behind it.
The reason why this question is important for good listening and understanding is, if we were in their shoes and experienced what they would feel. We would relate to them better and truly have a better response. I believe we wouldn't understand them if we hadn't tried to be in their position.
A lot of people tend to disregard other people simply because they dont understand how other feel. So if we connect with them more it would make listening and understanding more efficient. -
One important question I would ask myself is "How would I want to be treated if I was in their shoes?'This would help me understand others better because its like seeing a certain situation from their perspective .Instead of just saying what I want to say next I just pause and focus on how they might be feeling about a particular situation,even if they are sad,angry or happy.
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I think an important question to ask myself is why I can be so great in life. This would help me understand others better because many other people might not have the knowledge I have or things that I have. I can be great in life by focusing on my work or things I have to do.
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When it comes to listening, I often question myself if I'm really listening to the other person or I'm just pretending I listen to them and not understanding anything. In my opinion, listening without comprehending is basically useless, as much as speaking without anyone listening is useless. What's the reason to speak, when no one listens to you?
However, this isn't the only question I ask myself. I usually think about asking the person a question or even startin a conversation with them. As far as I'm concerned, I believe that in order to actually learn something new, you have to speak with the other person. That's the only way to answer all your questions and ensure that you understood everything. -
In my opinion, an essential question I should ask myself is, "How should I treat this person based on how they treat me?" I feel as though this is an important question to ask myself because I am usually very nice to people no matter how they treat or talk to me. This also helps me to understand people more by treating them by how they treat me. For example, if someone is treating you a certain way as in a rude way and you treat them nicely it may only encourage them further with this behavior.
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I think I would ask myself "What do I do wrong and what do I do well already?"
This question will help me question myself on how I could do things better that I do worse than other skills. An example would be if I'm very smart at bad at listening. This tells would tell me that I should work on my listening skills more so I do not get in trouble and I achieve this feat for myself. Another example could be the other way around, I'm good at listening but I'm not very smart. This would tell me that I could practice educational/academic skills more so I could get a good job or get into a better school later in life. One last thing that this question could help me with would be if I figure out what I do well and don't do well, I could also help others with the same problems I have. Like if someone knew I used to have the same problem as them, they would come to ask me how to fix this problem. An example of this scenario could be:
Friend: Hey, I know you used to have problems with understanding some topics while doing school work. How could I get rid of this problem since I have it now?"
Me: To get rid of misunderstanding a topic, try reading the question slower and take your time because most of the time you have most likely missed something, if this doesn't work then you could try asking a friend/classmate for help and if you cant do this then just try your best!
Friend: Okay thank you Friend!
This is one question I could ask myself and other people may have this problem to so this could help, goodbye Topical Talkers! -
I think that " Did you give evidence to support your answer?", Would be a good question to ask if I need to understand what someone is saying. Also when I have to complete an activity the more I understand the better. While doing the country and flag activity we had to hear the actions of that country to act upon it. On one of the cards it stated "My country welcomes millions of tourists and students." This would allow more diversity and education in that country. Although if that same country made a deal with enemy nations I would leave that alliance, to keep my country safe.
This is why I think that "Did you give evidence to support your answer?" This is a good question to ask when you need more understanding. -
I think an important question to ask myself is AM I REALLY LISTENING TO UNDERSTAND OR AM I JUST WAITING FOR MY TURN TO SPEAK ? This would help me understand other better.because it remains me focus on what the person is actually saying instead of quickly forming my reply . When I ask myself this question, I become more patient and open minded.I pay attention to their feeling, reason, and experience, even if I do not agree with them. It helps me avoid judging too fast and allows me to see thing from their point of view. By doing this,I can respond more respectfully and have better conversation with others.
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What if the truth isn’t always as simple as it seems? What if two sides both believe they’re right?
I think an important question to ask myself is: What is the bigger picture behind this argument, and who benefits from the truth being told this way?
This would help me understand others better because sometimes people only show a tiny part of the story. It’s like looking at one puzzle piece and thinking you see the whole picture, but there are lots of pieces hiding around it.
There is evidence that countries at war often say they are just protecting themselves. They use words like security, safety, or stability. That makes people feel scared or worried, and then they support big decisions fast. Fear can make people agree without thinking too much.
Also, the way a story is told can change how people feel. One side might say protecting borders,another says attacking neighbors. Same facts, different words. That is evidence that truth depends on how it’s shown.
If leaders only tell some facts, people think one side is right, maybe it leads to fighting.
But if I stop and look for more evidence, I can see other sides too, then I understand better and don’t get tricked by just one story.
I used to think war was simple. But then I noticed that every country tells its story like it is protecting something important. I realized there is always more to see than what’s first said.
So I think this question is super important because it helps me look for all the evidence, not just the loudest part. And maybe, if everyone did that, people would fight less and understand more. -
If I were to choose ONE question to ask myself, it would be "Are you ready to listen?" This is because, as someone whose brain works extremely fast, it is sometimes hard for me to focus on listening and helping someone else. I'm good at listening, but it can be too much, especially when it is about a conflict in opinion. When I am ready to listen, that's when we can have a good/balanced talk about whatever the topic is. It is also important to have the other person ask this question to themself for the same thing.
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The question that I frequently ask myself is "what what I think about this situation if I experienced it from other persons viewpoint?" My fast reactions show that I let my own emotions take control of my behaviour. The moment I visualize another persons experience I begin to comprehend that different thought processes and behaviours. The quote Stephen Covey states "first seek to understand others, then seek to make them understand you". This shows me that I need to prioritize listening with empathy instead of trying to convince others about my perspective. The process of asking myself this question helps me develop my capacity to be less defensive more patient and more thoughtful
Thank you -
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I think an important question to ask myself is: What evidence would support this person's opinion, and what experiences might have shaped?
This question matters because good listening is about understanding reasons, not just words. Research in communication shows that people are more open to discussion when they feel their perspective has been understood first. By asking myself, I focus on the logic behind someone's argument instead of reacting emotionally.
A positive consequence is that it can improve critical thinking and reduce misunderstandings. Conversations become more respectful and productive when we listen to evidence and background.
However, there can be also a negative side. If I focus too much on analyzing facts, I might ignore emotions and personal values, which are also important in a real discussions.
In the long term, asking this question can help creat more thoughtful debates and reduce misinformation. Overall, I believe that balanced listening -combining empathy and critical thinking- leads to better understanding.
Signing out: Fair_minded fly -
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I think an important question to ask myself is: Am i currently listening to understand or am i just waiting for my turn to speak? This would help understand others better because it reveals whether i truly take what they say or i m just mentally rehearsing what i want to say. By catching myself in the waiting to speak phase i can quiet my inner thoughts and actually hear what the other person is saying, feel their emotions and also get the underlying facts the person is saying.
Another question i would ask myself is in what ways can i improve my listening skills right now to better support the person speaking? Why i think this is important is because it will help me understand others better as i begin to listen more actively, this helps me focus more, ask better clarifying questions, and helps to see the world through the speaker's eyes.
Listening actively will make me a better leader, i will be able to value the speaker's input, cooperate and collaborate with others. This will help me be a better example as i see beyond what the person is saying. -
I think an important question to ask myself is am i truly focused on this person or is my mind wandering to something else? This will help me understand other betters because without been focused, that is paying attention, I won't be able to pick the important information the person is saying and if i are going to give a report, I might mix up the words.
Focus is also the foundation of empathy, when i am fully present i can catch the small details, I will be able to tell if there is a change in their tone, a slight hesitation, with this I can tell how they really feel. If I am not focused I will only be hearing words, being focused helps understand the person behind the words. Focus is also important because it builds respect, the person you are listening to will feel valued and they are most likely to share more details. -
I believe that a question I must ask myself is: “Am I listening to understand, or am I listening to reply?”
This is a question that requires me to be truthful with myself. Often, while another person is speaking, I am preparing my response. The reason for this is ego and haste and the consequence of this is miscommunication. When I am listening to reply, I respond to my assumptions. When I am listening to understand, I respond to reality.
I learned this in a school group project. One of my group members strongly disagreed with our proposal, and I was about to defend it. However, I took a moment to ask myself if I was trying to win or understand. I realized that his issue wasn’t with the proposal, but with time management. And the issue was resolved. The change from competition to collaboration occurred simply because I decided to listen differently.
Some people say that confidence is shown through rapid responses. Confidence without understanding is not confidence at all. Real intellectual power comes from being receptive to another point of view before refuting it. To listen in order to understand is not to agree, but to respect.
Ultimately, the question is not small because it will decide whether I become a person who escalates a conflict or one who resolves it. The difference between a ruined friendship, a failed team project, or even a divided society may begin with a moment of listening. When I decide to understand first, I do more than listen to words because I establish trust. Trust is what converts conversations into progress. -
I think an important question to ask myself is am I actually trying to understand them, or am I just waiting for my turn to talk. I'll see their side of the story. It helps me step into their shoes. I might realize they aren't just being annoying - maybe they're actually stressed or just see things differently than I do. They will feel respected, People can tell when you're just waiting to jump in. when I really listen, they feel like their opinion actually matters, which makes it easier for us to get along even if we don't agree. I can use my phone or my own thoughts. I'll ask better follow-up questions, instead of just saying okay, I can ask things like, can you tell me more about that or something like that. This helps me get the full picture so I don't accidentally take what they said the wrong way.
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I believe that an important question to ask myself when I am communicating with people is ,"Am I actually comprehending what the person is saying, and do I seem interested in what they are saying?" I think that this helps me understand what the person is talking about because if I seem engaged in the conversation it is most likely that they will tell me more about the topic.Me being able to comprehend what they are talking about lets me understand the topic .
When I stop and actually comprehend what the person is saying I can either give them more information on the topic if I already know what they are telling me about ,or I can actually learn something new from the information given to me by the speaker .when I get information from the speaker comprehending it can help me understand what they are saying ,giving me a better chance of learning about the topic .and if the topic interest me I will go and do some research on it .
Wondering if I seem interested in the topic is a question I ask myself a lot. In my opinion, seeming interested in the conversation will make the conversation more meaningful and interesting.Having more interest makes the speaker want to tell you more about the topic, making the conversation longer and helps you learn something, causing you to gain more knowledge .
In the end these are questions I ask myself when I am having a conversation so the conversation can be longer ,informing and meaning full. -
One important question I would ask myself would be "Why does the person see the topic this way" Asking myself this would help me get a better understanding of why might the person could see the topic that way.Also asking that question could help me get a better POV of the person's opinion and think more about their opinion.Overall asking that question would help with better understanding and help me understand more.
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I think an important question to ask myself is "Does this line up with my values and my highest priority right now". This question forces a pause in your daily routine to examine if your actions match your truth, long term goals rather than just prompt demands. This would help me understand others better because by honestly answering this, you can identify which habits, tasks, or relationships are hindering your progress and which ones are genuinely fulfilling. It serves as a filter for your time, helping you recognize when you are pleasing or simply staying busy, rather than working toward what matters most. Regularly asking this allows you to reframe limiting beliefs, set better boundaries , and make more intentional, empowering decisions. Ultimately, this question empowers you to stop living on autopilot and start designing a life that feels authentic to who you are.
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I think one important question I can ask my self is the reason for the person's own opinion and trying to understand from the person's own perspective.
Listening to someone's reasons helps me understand them better because it lowers the emotional heat, specifically the anger that often serves as a physical and emotional wall between two or more people with different opinions. When that wall is up, communication is blocked by defensiveness. By genuinely trying to understand their 'why', I help that anger dissipate , which creates a safe space for them to speak honestly. Once the noise of the 'anger' is gone, I can finally see the values, experiences or fears that actually shaped their opinion, allowing me to understand the person, even if I don't agree with their conclusion.
A good listener is a good learner. -
I think an important question i should ask myself is “What emotions might be influencing their opinion?” This would help me understand others better because people’s experiences and feelings often shape how they think. Sometimes, an opinion comes from fear, frustration, hope or even personal struggles that make them think that way. If I take a moment to consider what they might be feeling, I am less likely to judge their preference too quickly. It also helps me to respond with empathy instead of reacting defensively. By thinking about emotions, I can have more respectful conversations and create a space where both sides feel heard and understood. When conversations become heated, it is hard to care about others opinion because we tend to only focus on proving our point. However, If I remind myself that emotions could be involved, I can respond with empathy instead of reacting defensively. In the end, good listening is not just about hearing words, but also about understanding the feelings behind them.
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In my class, a reflective question I should ask myself is: How could I respectfully agree or disagree with my peers? First to do that, I need to really listen instead of just waiting my turn. Am I focusing on their main opinion? Will I fully understand what they are saying? Listening to the topic in class will help me figure out what my classmate is talking about. Doing so wilI help me explain my thoughts and I can see if I agree with their opinion or disagree.
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An important question to ask myself is,"What are they really trying to say?".This would help me understand others better because, not everyone can clearly express their feelings. Feelings are hard to express and not everyone can get them out exactly right. Thinking about a person's behaviour and listening to what they are trying to say can really help you understand them. This means understanding and listening to others is important since not everyone can truly express what they mean.
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One question I asked myself is, "Am I listening to understand something or to get a better example of what the speaker is saying?" Asking this to myself helps me understand things more clearly because misunderstandings could happen because we might hear others perspectives that were not in the other person's reality.
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I think an important question to ask myself is what is the point of that person's perspective? This would help me understand the other person because it is all about expanding my own map of the world. I believe no matter how smart we are we all have our weak or blind spot, this could be as a result of our culture, history, education etc. When we listen to someone else, we get to understand an area of life we did not previously know about. We create a safe environment when people feel understood, they cooperate more, share their ideas and are quick to admit when they make mistakes.
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I agree with you. In understanding their perspectives, i would ask myself what tone is their voice conveying? What is the cost if i misunderstand them? Asking these questions will help me detect sarcasm, sincerity and urgency. I will also be able to understand the speaker better because it will remind me of the stakes, what i have to lose or win. This will encourage me to pay careful attention.
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I think an important question to ask myself is, “As a girl today, what kind of world do I want to step into tomorrow?”.
This question is important for my and life because the future of women empowerment is not something far away — it begins in our daily lives. When I hear conversations about feminism, I don’t just hear opinions but I hear hopes, fears, and unfinished struggles.
Will I feel safe to walk freely?Will my voice be valued in a classroom and in a boardroom?
Will I be respected for my dreams, not restricted
by stereotypes?
When I ask myself this, I start listening more carefully to other girls and women. I notice the hidden worries behind their smiles and the quiet strength behind their struggles. I understand that empowerment is not about fighting for superiority, but about building a future where fairness is normal.By reflecting on the future I desire, I become more thoughtful in the present. Because the world I will live in tomorrow depends on how deeply I understand and support others today.
I choose this question because my inspiration is Savitribai Phule, the first woman teacher of India, whose life was not just about education but about fearless transformation. She walked through humiliation and resistance, yet chose to carry knowledge instead of anger, hope and fear. Her journey reminds me that empowerment is not loud rebellion, but quiet, consistent courage.I want my life, like hers, to become a bridge that helps other girls cross from doubt into dignity!!! -
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I think an important question to ask myself when I am listening to someone, is: does it matter whether they are "right" or not? Sometimes in a discussion, even if I disagree with someones point, It can be very interesting to hear what they have to say, because it might give me a new perspective, or make me look at things in a different way, or even if it doesn't change my opinion at all, it might make me think more deeply about why I think what I think, why they think what they think, or how the thing we are discussing affects and is affected by other things. Sometimes we are blinded by our own opinions and perspectives and this affects our view of other peoples ideas. If we disagree with someone, we might not pause to really consider what they have to say. But maybe it doesn't matter whether they are "right" or "wrong" - a lot of the time this is subjective anyway. Their point could still be valuable in and of itself. Sometimes it's helpful to look for a definitive answer, especially when your decision has real life consequences. But sometimes it's better to ask yourself whether the answer to the question really matters: maybe the more important thing is the discussion. This allows you to really listen to what they have to say, because your looking at it not as a perspective you either agree or disagree with, but just someones perspective.
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I think that an important question to ask myself is "am I actually understanding when I am listening?" This would help me understand others because if I understand what someone when they are talking I can give good advice and do good on work, and I will be able to understand what they need if they need help or company.
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I personally think a sufficient personal question to ask yourself when listening is "am I truly listening for understanding, or just hearing their speech as background noise?" I think of this as a great question for yourself, because it brings your full attention to the speaker when answered, and does not require much effort to answer.
A real life example of this was when my teacher was telling us information and I was drifting away in my thoughts. Right before this I had barely passed the previous test, so I asked myself the previous question, and listened closely. Two days later we had a test and I made a 97, because I remembered the material. -
I think an important question to ask myself is,''Why do I react the way I do when someone disagrees with me or acts differently than me ?''.
This would help me understand others better because I would learn my initial often defensive,reaction is based on my own assumptions and experiences,not necessarily on the other person's intention.By understanding my own triggers,I can stop judging others and instead se their perspectives as valid,even if they are different on my own,which helps build better,more empathic relationships. -
I believe listening is important because what if the school has an amber alert and the teacher doesn't listen bad stuff could happen . I think people should listen because there lot important stuff .
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One of the important questions that I would ask myself is , "Am I actually listening to understand, or am I just waiting for my turn to speak?"
This is a very reflective question that I ask myself. It reminds me that communication is not just about me and my opinions, but it is also about understanding the thoughts and feelings of others. Sometimes, people listen with the intention of responding, and not necessarily with the intention of understanding. When I ask myself this question, Iam more aware of what Iam doing when Iam listening to others.
Effective listening involves being patient, empathetic, and receptive. When I listen for understanding rather than for a response, I am able to understand the meaning that lies beyond the words , including the feelings and intentions of the speaker. This will minimize misunderstandings and maximize mutual respect. It will also enhance relationships because people feed valued and heard.
Thus, this reflective question will enable me to be a more thoughtful communicator and a better listener. -
I think an important question to ask myself is: Am I really trying to understand this person, or am I just waiting for my turn to speak? This would help me understand others better because it reminds me to focus fully on what they are saying instead of thinking about my own response. When we listen only to reply, we can miss important details, emotions, or the real meaning behind someone's words. By asking myself this question, I become more aware of my attention and attitude. It encourages me to be patient, open minded, and respectful. Good listening is not just about hearing words - it is about understanding feelings, perspectives, and intentions. This reflective question helps me build stronger communication and deeper understanding with others.
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I think an important question to ask myself is: 'am I truly putting myself in the person's shoes when listening to them?'. When I hear a point of view on something, am I trying my best to empathise with them, and understand how their views may differ to mine due to how they were raised, born or where they get the news? Earlier in the Topical Talk Festival, we talked about worldviews, how we get the news and what we see in it. I believe that this is crucial when listening.
Putting yourself in other people's shoes is extremely important when listening to someone. When you hear them talk about how they interpret something and where they stand, it helps you to learn where they are coming from, and, more importantly, their view on something. As human beings, we can often be very quick to disagree with something, especially if it opposes a belief or idea that we feel has been cemented in us from very early on. If we keep being narrow-minded and not realising that there are so many reasons why someone could think differently to us, we will not keep progressing and understanding beliefs from all around the world. As well as this, in the lessons we are having, we are sharing a lot of opinions. There is no 'right' or 'wrong, which means that we should always be open to everyone, and it will keep us building new ideas about the world.
Therefore, I believe that a question to ask myself is 'am I putting myself in their shoes?' - it is definitely a question that will enable me to understand, empathise and learn more about the person, and the world in the long run! -
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I think that an extremely important question to ask myself is: "Am I considering all perspectives of a conversation?"
Sometimes, I tend to view things from my view and how it only affects me or something that I care about. While it is important to consider what matters to me, many policies affect other people so much more. Especially in this festival, we discuss many topics that affect people all over the world. In order to have a meaningful discussion we must think about other actors in the situation and what will happen to them. Without contemplating other's thoughts and perspectives, we would have a redundant conversation in which we only think about ourselves. We wouldn't get anywhere in the discussion and wouldn't be able to reach a fair conclusion.
Instead, if we weigh the facts and stay openminded to new alternatives, both people can benefit from the conversation by learning something that they might've not known before. By listening to other speakers about their experiences and evidence, we become critical thinkers that can both communicate and absorb information. We all have different beliefs, backgrounds and cultures. Rather than letting that separate us, we should use our differences to our advantage to have significant conversations. By seeing what others care about, we learn new things. This leads to respectful and mindful discussion rather than standing firm in one stance. Listening and weighing others opinions are a crucial skill to have, and when we think of all perspectives, we practice this skill that will help us in the future. -
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I believe that one thing I should ask myself is: “Am I really trying to understand this person, or am I just waiting for my turn to speak?”
This would allow me to better understand others because it would remind me to listen to what they are saying rather than preparing what I am going to say next. Often, we are listening to respond rather than to understand. If I take the time to ask myself this question, I will be better able to hear what they are saying and understand their feelings, reasons, and experiences.
Good listening involves being open minded and understanding, even if I don’t agree. By asking myself this question, I can gain insight into why a person believes what they do and see things from their perspective. -
I think an important question to ask myself is: "Am I really listening to understand or just waiting for my turn to speak?"
This would help me understand others better because it reminds me to focus on the speaker's ideas instead of thinking about my own response. When we only wait to speak, we might miss important details, emotions, or reasons behind someone's opinion. Good listening means paying more attention to their word, tone, and evidence before forming a judgement.
By asking myself this question, I can become more patient, open-minded and respectful. It also helps me learn new perspectives, even if I disagree. In discussions about topics like security, global conflicts, or alliances, understanding other viewpoints is very important. Good listening builds stronger communication and deeper understanding. -
When listening and trying to understand different perspectives, I think an important question to ask myself is "Are there any assumptions I made that are challenged by someone else's opinion, and how can I best reflect a broadened standpoint?"
When it comes to open-ended discussions, especially with people of different backgrounds, it's common to hear personal stories that tie to a person's environment. By taking time to stop and listen to others, I better understand how hurtful stereotypes and 'single stories' are and how I can correct my own view to best reflect the truth.
And, while debates aren't meant for one side to win over another, they do serve as a time for varying interpretations, and by being open to this, I can form part of a community that listens and engages with one another. In my personal experience, my large friend group has different views on topics about the environment, culture, politics, etc., and when it comes to discussing issues, there's always space to express oneself.
Thus, from my own experiences, it works better to hear others out and contribute to the conversation with open-mindedness. -
I think an important question to ask myself is to pay attention to what am about to listen to.this would help me understand other better because.it will help me in focusing on getting vital details and improve my listening and communication skills.
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I believe a foundational question I should interrogate myself is, "What am I feeling or understanding about the pacific topic that is introduce".This could help me understand someone because it could particulary make me think clearly of what someone is saying or fealing.This could make me interpret the conversation more advance then usual.
For example, if the treacher was helping the class to study for the test that would come eventually, by asking this question it would help me understand more about the topic by looking back to it. It could make me think more clear and have a sense of closure to the information that I receive.Another example is that It could improve in the sport that you have by understanding the methods that are use.
Furthermore, It gradually help improve grade, test score, sports, and get better award.This could help many people that struggle understanding what the topic that they are introduce.It would be a helpfull methods to have a understanding of someting that can help you in improving many things.This could also help accomplics your goals, get award,and have better grade or test score.
In conlusion, this is the question that could help me or other in understanding and listening what the people are saying.This could help me have a sence of closure to what the people are saying and accomplish my goals. -
I think an important question to ask myself is, "Do I understand this person's reasoning, or am I just reacting to what they said?" This is important for good listening and understanding because it reminds me to slow down and focus on the meaning behind the words, especially in online communication where I can't hear tone or see facial expressions.
By asking myself this question, I make sure I am thinking about the other persons evidence, logic, and point of view before forming my response. This helps me avoid jumping to conclusions or misunderstanding their message. Good listening is not just about reading someone's words, it's also about trying to understand their thinking. When I take time to understand their reasoning, I can respond more thoughtfully and respectfully, which leads to clear communication and stronger discussions.
It also helps me stay open minded, even if I disagree. Instead of trying to prove the other person wrong right away, I try to understand why they think that way. This can help me learn something new or see the issue from a different side. When I do this, the conversation feels more fair and balanced, and everyone has a better chance of being understood. -
One question I would ask myself is “What story is this person trying to tell beneath their words?”
People rarely say everything directly. Sometimes their tone, pauses, or choice of words reveal more than the sentence itself. By asking myself this question, I remind myself that communication isn’t just about vocabulary — it’s about emotions, experiences, and hidden concerns. This question pushes me to listen beyond the surface and pay attention to feelings, context, and intention. Good listening means understanding not just what is said, but why it is said. When I search for the deeper story, I become more empathetic, more patient, and far less likely to misunderstand someone. -
I think an important question to ask myself is: Am I actually listening, or just waiting to talk? It’s important because if I’m only thinking about what I’m going to say next, I miss what the other person is really trying to tell me. If I ask this, it will help me notice their feelings, understand why they think the way they do, and actually have a convo instead of just hearing my own thoughts echo back or have tunnel vision.
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An important question I should ask myself when talking with others is: am I listening carefully or just pretending to listen until it is my turn to talk?
I belive that most of us try to tell lots of things, even if that means not listening to the person you are talking to.
Real listening requires and open mind and to study carefully what others are saying, rather than just focus on what you are going to tell the others.
If we practice listening to people in this way, we could understand better what they are trying to tell us, so we would me more prepared in case they need an answer. Many people who I know seem to not care about what you are telling them, and just want to talk about themselves and their lifes, and, from my perspective, this people should try to care about what the other is telling, or just pretend to listen. Most of us prefer to talk rather than to listen, but communication involves both things, so we must be prepared for it too. -
I think an important question to ask myself is: “What feelings are behind these words?”
This question helps me understand not only the message but also the emotions being expressed. Sometimes words do not show everything, and good listening means paying attention to tone, facial expressions, and context.When I ask myself this question, I become more empathetic and patient. I learn to notice if someone is happy, worried, excited, or frustrated. This helps me respond in a kind and thoughtful way.This reflective question improves communication because understanding emotions reduces misunderstandings and builds trust. It shows respect and creates stronger connections with others.In conclusion, listening for feelings makes conversations more meaningful. By focusing on emotions as well as words, I can understand better, support others, and become a more effective listener.
thank you topical talkers 🌹 -
One question that I ask myself everyday is: Should I enjoy on the school with my partners of I should pay more antention in class to have excelent marks? This question alwase makes me think about my future and also that if I dont pay atention in class and I dont have good grades I would not have a good job in the future but, in the opposite, I also think that we only have one life and we need to enjoy it as much as we can. My parents alwase told me to have good grades and study hard but then I think that in the future I will have less free time that now and I would not enjoy my life as much as I am enjoing now, this is because in the future I will have a job and to have money to live, I would need to work hard.
I ask this question all the time to myself and I wold like to listen others opinion. -
One question I ask myself is, "Am I becoming the kind of person my future self would respect?"
This question matters because it shifts my focus from short-term success to long-term characters. Often, decisions are influenced by immediate rewards, peer pressure or outside expectations. However, not every success brings personal satisfaction or integrity. By asking this question, I must consider if my actions match my values, discipline, and personal growth.
It encourages me to be accountable beyond the present. Instead of just asking if something is right or useful now, it prompts me to think about whether it will still feel right in the future. This perspective helps me avoid rash decisions and supports careful choice-making.
Additionally, the Idea of a "future self" fosters a sense of responsibility. It reminds me that the habits I develop, the efforts I put in, and the choices I make today will shape who I become. Respect, in this context, is not about what others think; it's about my self-worth and sticking to my principles.
Ultimately, this question acts as a guide for ongoing self-improvement. It makes sure that progress is measured not just by achievements, but also by growth in character, integrity, and purpose. -
I think an important question to ask is am I maintaining eye contact and open posture? This will help me understand the person the more because my own physical openness encourages the speaker to be more open and clear. I might learn learn about the intensity of their convictions and how much of their identity is tied to their opinions, this will help me relate better with them thereby will result improving our relationship.
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I think an important question to ask myself would be how does this person want to be perceived? Is the person looking for a debate or a dialogue? I will understand the person the more as it might explain why the person is explaining their opinions in a specific way and it will also help me adjust my energy to match their conversational goal.
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I think the important questions to ask myself is what is the one thing they want me to remember most? Are they are they using words that will shut me down or build me up? This would me understand others better because it will help me look past certain language to hear the underlying point, it will also distill a long conversation down to its moat vital point.
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I think an important question to ask myself is where and how the speaker got his or her information. This would help me understand others better because i will be able to see where the person's information comes from, so i can learn more about what that person is talking about and this will get me curious to know more. If i know where the person's information comes from, I will be able to tell whether what the person is passing out true or false. Imagine I don't even care about where the person got the information, i might not be able to tell if the information is false, that means at the end of the day i might end up spreading false news and this might lead to confusion and chaos.
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I think an important question to ask myself is what problem are they trying to solve? This will help understand others better because it reveals the practical purpose behind their perspective. I believe most difficult or stubborn view points are just someone's attempt to fix a fear or frustration. The i am able to identify the main problem i can stop reacting to their tone and maybe help them find a real solution.
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I think an important question to ask myself is; "Am I truly listening to my peers or am I just waiting to use my own voice or not listening?" This would help me understand others better and more clearly because it helps me stay focused. As I ask myself this question, it also helps me to remember to stay focused and listen to my peer's voices. Misunderstandings often happen when I don't listening properly or listen through my own perspective, which causes me to be confused and or not understand what others are saying.
But, when I do focus when others are speaking, it helps me take in consideration of other peoples thoughts and also fully listening to them also helps me understand better rather than just hearing what they have to say. Listening and hearing have two different meanings. Listening means to take in information and listen closely to what peers are saying. Hearing, on the other hand, is just opening up my ears and hearing the sounds around me. -
I think the most important question will be what exactly are they trying to protect. This would help me understand others better because i can identify if they are motivated by the need to be safe, free or fair. It is important to always find out the why behind an opinion, what fuels or motivates the individual to share such opinion because the motivation behind an opinion is often more important than the opinion itself as this might likely ignite a life or death situation. Often times riots have taken place because people listened to world views orchestrated by greed, families have lost loved one because of opinions shared out of fear or selfish gains.
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Hello my Name is Trustful_information and a question I'll ask myself is " How would I graduate early with good grades". The way I'll complete this question is by getting good grades listening in class doing my work in class and not to get in trouble in class and to understand questions when teachers ask me.
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Solely listening and understanding someone else's thoughts may let them know that I respect their time listening to their opinion.
If it's wanted I always could after them giving their thought in I could give my opinion or perhaps my input to the topic. letting someone get their thoughts out safely is always a great help for the speaker/person, it also makes me or us after a while seem somewhat comfortable to talk to or just plain trustworthy as a person in general. Overall I believe that listening and understanding someone's take or opinion on something really helps us as a person and helps them, I also believe staying impartial on the topic or rather unbiased but understanding their opinion is the best way of helping or acting during a situation like this.
mindful_road | SMPK 4 Penabur Jakarta | Indonesia 18 Feb 2026
One question I'd ask myself is: "Is my identity attached to my belief so strongly that questioning it feels like questioning myself?"
This question is very important to me, because belief is involuntary. Beliefs are often unconscious responses to what our brain perceives information. It develops time to time through our surroundings, family, culture, experiences and psychological factors. Because they grow deeply, beliefs/opinions often feel natural or unquestionable, like it's a part of who we are. Beliefs can be our identity.
When someone is against a belief that's deeply rooted, it can trigger a strong emotional reaction. It can feel like they're attacking us, not just our opinion. This is why we become quite defensive without even realizing it, because that belief is attached strongly to our identity. However, asking this question can help us realize that although belief is involuntary. You'll slowly realize that your identity is much larger than a single opinion. This psychological security will make you a better listener. You'd understand that the person speaking has their own beliefs, formed from involuntarily by their own personal factors. Recognizing this helps you see that their own perspective is not simply a random choice or an attempt to oppose you, but the result of complex influences they didn't fully control. This increases understanding, as well as the need to know what formed their perspective. In conclusion, true listening begins the moment we realize our identity is bigger than our opinion, and that others are shaped by experiences as deep as ours.
noble_turtle | Coombe Girls' School | United Kingdom 19 Feb 2026
I think an important question to ask myself when I am listening to someone, is: does it matter whether they are "right" or not? Sometimes in a discussion, even if I disagree with someones point, It can be very interesting to hear what they have to say, because it might give me a new perspective, or make me look at things in a different way, or even if it doesn't change my opinion at all, it might make me think more deeply about why I think what I think, why they think what they think, or how the thing we are discussing affects and is affected by other things. Sometimes we are blinded by our own opinions and perspectives and this affects our view of other peoples ideas. If we disagree with someone, we might not pause to really consider what they have to say. But maybe it doesn't matter whether they are "right" or "wrong" - a lot of the time this is subjective anyway. Their point could still be valuable in and of itself. Sometimes it's helpful to look for a definitive answer, especially when your decision has real life consequences. But sometimes it's better to ask yourself whether the answer to the question really matters: maybe the more important thing is the discussion. This allows you to really listen to what they have to say, because your looking at it not as a perspective you either agree or disagree with, but just someones perspective.