Here at Journey, we highly value the all-powerful, all-intriguing, almighty question.

We love questions.

Questions unearth stories, and stories are masterful at conveying larger truths. On any given day, Journey team members might be asking questions of an academician or an earthquake survivor, of a stamp collector, former president or pastor. We hear such interesting stories here. . . .

Our goal is to understand our clients better and help them convey what makes them and what they do unique. After all, there are a lot of competing voices out there.

So, just in case you’re curious, here are a few of our favorite questions. And don’t be misled: These aren’t powerful only for work. The more interested you are in others and the better you are at asking good questions, the more you will encourage the telling of stories as a matter of routine in every area of your life.

And keep in mind: The most important question is often the second question: When, how, why — why didn’t you, why can’t you, why won’t you?

For what achievement do you think your company will most be remembered? (For what would you prefer to be remembered, and how can you change your image?)

For what act or achievement would you, personally, most want to be remembered? (When did that happen? How did it make you feel?)

What are you great, good and poor at? What is your company great, good and poor at? (Please give some examples.)

And my favorite, final question (offered at no extra charge):

Is there anything else you wish I had asked?

Countless times, that last question — followed by an intentional silence that I refuse to fill — has elicited the most powerful, succinct comments. The passion, the heartbeat of the entire story I was seeking.

Shame on me, on us, when we’re too busy to pause in our pursuit and ask for more, to seek the heartbeat, to value the story so much that we will wait for it.

Go ahead — ask a question. Find a story.