Leadership is Language: Why Binary Questions with Kids?

These are notes from L. David Marquet’s book: Leadership is Language. The first set of notes start at understanding Red & Blue.

Realizing I frequently ask my children binary questions, I think: why do I have this habit of asking my children binary questions?

I believe breaking the binary question habit will help with understanding why, so I can start to formulate the new habit I want.

With my children, I taught them to say “yes/no” early on to help with us figuring out what is wrong with them. Until they were able to make that distinction, they only cried, loudly.

• Are you hungry? (yes/no)
• Are you thirsty? (yes/no)
• Do you need your diaper changed? (yes/no)
• Do I need “extra protection” to change your diaper?? (yes/no)

Going from deciphering cries to yes/no answers is a monumental improvement.

This might be where the habit formed with me.

I share my first impressions changing this habit.