What Was Asked. What Was Answered.

This article previously appeared on LinkedIn September 2025.

Last week, my BNI friend asked me what was the matter. I answered that my leg was bothering me. Now that's a perfectly fine answer. Nothing wrong with it. It's technically correct -- the best kind of correct. Truthful, to an extent. But if you noticed, I didn't really answer the question. She could see my leg was bothering me. It was very obvious. I was limping as I came into the room. I struggled to settle into my seat. I winced with every movement, and my right knee was stiff. As I write today's newsletter, it's only eight hours since that meeting, and I'll be seeing the physical therapist tomorrow. Aren't scheduled posts amazing?

No, I wasn't LARPing again. Why do you ask?

Once she pointed out how I'd dodged her question, I realized something: Not only am I sometimes bad at communicating, there is a key difference between giving an answer and answering a question. We've talked before about the importance of answering the question when filling out grant applications. You're probably sick of hearing me harp on it at this point.

But it bears repeating if only how easy it can be to trick ourselves into thinking we've answered the question when really we haven't.

I truly thought I'd answered Becky's question. 

"William, what's wrong?"

"Oh, my leg's bothering me."

Didn't I answer her question? I told the truth. I gave an answer. I did answer the question. Technically. Sort of. But did I really? What was she really asking? She was asking WHY my leg was bothering me. She already knew my leg hurt. She could see my leg hurt. Or at least she assumed it did. Sometimes grant applications ask the same question twice. It's infuriating. 

But look closer. Are they really asking the same question twice? Check the wording. Notice the subtlety. Don't just read the heading and assume you know what the details are, read the italicized stuff too. Don't miss the little things. 

And yes, my leg is feeling much better now. I hope.

Today's dad joke:

A fake noodle is called an impasta.