I realize the importance of doing what is right, defending what is true, and making wise choices (as far as those things can be known). But in order to do these things, it's important to question my own questions. The conclusions I reach are hugely influenced, if not determined, by which questions I choose to ask. The ability to step back and examine my questions gives me the opportunity to conceive of other questions, viewpoints, assumptions, that might be equally or more valid.
One example is something I've shared with many of you -- how I came to the decision to leave Ford in 2002. Dave had had various health crises from time to time, but for a while we had experienced a long plateau in which he was doing pretty well. I thought in an ongoing way about how to serve him the best - trying to make sure that I had enough time and flexibility to meet his needs and be with him as much as possible. However, at a certain point, I realized that I was considering the issue from too narrow a perspective.
I had been asking myself how I could manage work in order to spend enough 'quality time' with Dave. I don't particularly remember how it came to me (though I have the impression that it was quite sudden), but I was struck by an alternative way of posing the question that seemed to me to be much more reflective of what was truly important. I began to consider how to go about maximizing the level at which Dave and I could live a common life together. As soon as it occurred to me, I knew that this was the question that was really important -- not how Dave was going to fit into my life at Ford, but how (or whether) Ford was going to fit into my life at all.
This wasn't the end of the story. But it helped me take aim at what was important. In the end, I believe I hit the bullseye. I'm very thankful for that wonderful hiatus.
