Giving the most powerful gift

The most powerful thing about a question is not the answer that you hear but the thinking it provokes in the other person.

A question that doesn't make the other person think is purely for your benefit, because they already have the answer at their fingertips.

However, a question that makes them really think starts a process that may or may not complete while you are still in conversation with them.

Maybe later that day, or a week or even a month later, their subconscious will bring an answer to the surface that completely changes their perspective on something important to them, or even changes their perspective on life.

The most powerful question is also often the dumbest question. It's a question asked from curiosity about what it's like in that other person's world, and it assumpes nothing.

Sometimes a question can be the most powerful gift that other person has ever received.

That and your listening.