alt Hacker News100% agree and more credit if I could give it!
Even as a lead I ask the dumb question when no one else does just because when i can see the look in people faces or realize no one is chiming in the dumb question is needed to ensure everyone drives the point home. I've never been met with any sort of looking down upon nor do i discourage any of my staff - quite the opposite - I champion them for being willing to speak up.
in fairness, these do not sound like "dumb" questions.
Some questions really are dumb and bring no value to the table.
The key is knowing which is which, and that is the part that comes with experience.