The Bias-to-Ask Rule
(When in doubt, ask the question that saves everyone time)
Most people hesitate to ask clarifying questions because they worry about:
bothering others
looking slow
appearing unsure
revealing confusion
“not wanting to be that person”
Ironically, not asking is what slows teams down.
Here’s the fix.
⭐ THE BIAS-TO-ASK RULE
If you are 80% sure you understand something,
ask the question that gets you to 100%.
You don’t get extra points for guessing correctly.
You do get extra work when you guess wrong.
⭐ Why It Works
The last 20% of uncertainty is where all the rework hides.
A quick clarifying question:
accelerates deadlines
prevents drift
reduces misalignment
saves days of loopback
eliminates assumptions
improves psychological safety
And it signals something powerful:
You take clarity seriously.
⭐ How to Ask Without Feeling Awkward
You can frame the question as:
“Just to make sure I’m reading this the right way…”
“I want to confirm the constraint here is X, correct?”
“Is this meant as direction or exploration?”
“What does success look like for this step?”
People appreciate clarity far more than they resent questions.
⭐ When to Use It
Before starting work
Before making decisions
Before sending deliverables
When approaching deadlines
When something “feels mostly clear” but not solid
In async communication
⭐ Try It Today
Ask one clarifying question you were tempted to skip.
Future you will sigh with relief.