You’ll get clarity and information about decisions being made at the higher levels. Perhaps most importantly, people will come to expect that you have something to say. Only people with something to say get invited to the table at strategy time.

Questions give you agency in your day-to-day work deliverables. They prove that you’re thinking about your tasks and your contribution to the larger organization.

It’s up to you to show that you can think strategically. Question every 👏 single 👏 assignment / request 👏 How does this deliverable contribute to the highest level company goal(s)? Where does this fit in my existing list of priorities?

Doing what you’re asked, when you’re asked, impeccably, without question makes people view you as an order taker. Order takers are not adding value or leading strategy.

This flies directly in the face of what I (a millennial woman) was always taught: “Be agreeable, supportive, non-confrontational. Just work hard and people will notice and respect you.” Professional experience in a male-dominated industry has proved that line of reasoning is BS.

Just 👏