The Power of Questions

Good tough leaders ask more questions than they give answers. They listen more than they talk. Listen in as we discuss how leaders can harness the power of questions.

Transcript

Jon Hatch 0:14

Welcome to the Lead Tough and Aloud Podcast, where we have leaders focus on what's most important, not what's loudest. This is John Hatch with my co-host, as always, Adam. And in this episode, we are going to talk about the power of questions. One of the focus categories for tough leadership development is wisdom. How can you develop wisdom? Can wisdom be developed? We kind of answer that question a lot. And one of the one thing that can develop wisdom in our leadership is harnessing the power of questions. Wise people ask questions. They ask good questions, they learn how to ask questions. So Adam X, I'm excited to talk about asking questions today.

Adam Pavis 0:54

I actually have a question about asking questions. Oh. And this question might actually answer itself fairly quickly. All right. Is there a such thing as a dumb question? Much like maybe what I just asked.

Jon Hatch 1:07

Oh, that's that's actually a good question. Oh, okay. So a lot of people say there's no such thing as a dumb question, right? You hear that. And a lot of times people say that when they're trying to get other people to talk or maybe a group to talk or discuss and all that stuff too. Um I would say yes. Okay. There are such things as dumb questions. Um, but I think there's a reason for that. And I think people ask dumb questions because they don't know how to ask good questions.

Adam Pavis 1:40

Okay. Um that's a nice, like, padded way of saying that there's just dumb questions.

Jon Hatch 1:46

Yeah. Yeah. I don't want to say people are dumb. I do. I'm just kidding. Um, but we've all seen them, John. You don't have to we've all been there. Yeah. Um, but no, honestly, I think that's I think that's why people just don't know how to ask good questions. But I think also, like, generally speaking, most people don't ask questions in general. Like, I don't know, I don't know, when you first when you first meet somebody, that's typically when we ask questions of people, right? Like, hey, you introduce yourself and you're like, who are you? You know, and where are you from? Yeah. What do you do for a living? And stuff like that too. So kind of naturally, just in conversation, when you first meet somebody, we tend to ask questions because we're trying to get to know them.

Adam Pavis 2:33

You know what's interesting is it's actually really awkward when someone doesn't ask questions. I don't know if you've ever been around someone and it's like, you know, hey, I'm so-and-so, and they introduce themselves, and then that's it. And you're just like, Yeah, you know, it's like a screeching screeching halt. Uh, Southern California. Like, that's amazing. I am from AirChist. You feel like you're you're waiting for them to ask you back.

Jon Hatch 3:00

Yeah, and it never comes. Yeah, yeah.

Adam Pavis 3:02

You're like, I don't think this person wants to learn any more about me or what we're doing here, or which sometimes you're like, okay, it's fine. I'm not, I don't want to put it out there like, oh, I'm so interesting. You want to know so much more. But there is kind of that like, it's it's awkward. Like it's a weird, it's a weird moment when you're with someone or in a situation where what's what's said is just kind of the end of it, and there isn't really the I think um, I think too, you can see those moments in other areas. So, like my cousin's in the Coast Guard, and sometimes when we're talking about either boot camp or just just the way things are structured, there's things in the military and in different settings where questions are not welcome. They don't want people raising their hand, and it feels awkward. It feels awkward for someone to just say something and for everyone to just agree and move on and not even give the chance to like raise your hand, make okay, I have questions about yeah, which is why it would never be good in the military.

Jon Hatch 4:01

But yeah, well, and that's a good point, you know. People like especially in a group setting, right? I think this happens for people too, one-on-one when you're in an individual conversation, but I think even more so in a group setting, you know, it's kind of like, Am I the only one who has a question about this? Yeah, you know, it's a little bit isolating, you know, and if you're gonna ask it out loud, you're kind of putting yourself on the spot. Yeah, you know, and I think a lot of times there is a thought of like people do I have a question, but I don't know if it's a dumb question or not. You know, does everybody else in the room know this? You know, and I'm the only one who doesn't, who doesn't know? And so, yeah, there's a little bit of that for sure. Um, you know, but but I also think you know people don't ask questions, and the people don't ask good questions because I don't think people spend enough time thinking about questions to ask.

Adam Pavis 4:54

Yeah.

Jon Hatch 4:54

Um, and good questions foster good answers, which leads to good thinking. And most people don't take time for thinking.

Adam Pavis 5:03

That's they just run right through life with the brain off or an auto pipe.

Jon Hatch 5:08

I think I think a lot of them do. And I think um because there's things to get done. Like we live in a hurried like society, we live in a hurried culture, right? Um, and I say hurried versus busy because there's those are two different things. Um, but it seems like everything's you know, we're hurrying with everything, you know, and we're hurried in everything we do. And that that doesn't lend itself to thinking or giving time to thinking. I think a lot of organizations do this as well, too. And I think a lot of leaders, unfortunately, do this. They don't allow time to think. And thinking is important. I think it's it's more important than I think we give a lot of credit to it, you know, to be. Um but I think you know, thinking leads to asking good questions. When you give time to think about something, give time to process something through, and you realize in that thinking that processing, I don't know, I don't know if I'm really sure about this, or I don't know if I'm really sure about that. And all of a sudden you're like, I need to ask somebody, you know, and and you think of the question to ask, right? Around around that. And so good questions, formulating good questions takes time and takes thought, a lot of thought. Um, and in my experience, creativity and ingenuity starts with good questions.

Adam Pavis 6:25

Oh, yeah, no, a hundred percent. You agree with that? Oh, yeah. Okay, no, for sure. The the amount of times where like we get you get what's called a design brief, which tells you kind of the story of what you're making and why you're making it and what they're looking for. That's people a lot of times just think, and then that's it. Like you have that, and then you go do your thing, and then we'll reconvene in however many weeks, and then we'll all look at the thing that's perfect. In my mind, I'm like, no, this just tells me what questions I'm supposed to ask you from here. I need way more information than that. And I don't even care if I ask questions that almost seem like, well, we have that in the brief. It's a lot of times it's that's fantastic, but I want to hear if it if that changes at all. I want to hear if you know, from your mouth, if you're thinking, well, yes, but you know, and then you add stuff or take things away. So a hundred percent, yeah, you can't just be creative in that kind of a I would say in a leadership situation. Leadership scenarios, really, really difficult to be creative and you know, kind of have critical thinking through stuff, creative problem solving as well, without asking questions. That feels more like a game you would play. Like you have to figure this out and you're not allowed to ask anyone for help.

Jon Hatch 7:43

Yeah, yeah. Yeah, I think with most most groups that you know I've either worked for or you know, worked with, um, you know, the creativity, the ideas come from when there's good questions that start that, that foster that. And and then all of a sudden, you know, it through a lot of discussion, through a lot of groupthink, really, and asking more questions, you know, you get to potential solutions, creative solutions, creative ideas, you know, and but it all starts with questions. Yeah. And I think that's that's where, you know, even for me, my experience, it's the creativity and ingenuity starts, starts there. Yeah.

Adam Pavis 8:20

So let me ask you this. So let's let's let's play a little scenario out here. So if you're a leader and you've come kind of fresh into a new team or a new work situation, whatever it is, what would you say is an important question that a leader can ask is their team from like so from the top down, what's a good question that they can ask from there? And we're gonna say that at this point you've you've passed where are you from? What do you do here? You know, what's your favorite color? All kinds of those like base questions that you get asked when you're fresh on a team. What would you say is a good question for leadership to their team if they're kind of starting out fresh, it's a new team or a new scenario. What would you say is a like number one kind of first question that kicks things off well?

Jon Hatch 9:08

I would say asking every individual, like once you've gotten past all, like you said, all the like first stuff, yeah, right. Um, and you kind of know who they are and you kind of know what they do, but I would go to them individually and have a conversation and ask them, hey, what do you do here and how does it make our organization successful?

Adam Pavis 9:31

Ooh.

Jon Hatch 9:32

Like, and just let them answer that. Okay. And and tell them, hey, this is an open question. There's no right or wrong answer to this. Like, and just ask that question because with the with the idea that you want to get their perspective on their role and the part they play.

Adam Pavis 9:49

Yeah. And well, in their mindset, what they think they bring to the table, you know. You might need to correct that a little bit. Or maybe not. Maybe you need to encourage it more.

Jon Hatch 9:58

Yeah, well, and that that's going to give you insight, right? To that. And I think so. Asking asking that question is a great one for a leader who's maybe starting out with a team, right? Or even they've um they've got some new people that they're bringing into the team, right? And they those people have gotten maybe a promotion and they that comes with a title, that comes with a job description, you know, and maybe that's just the answer you get when you ask them that question, yeah, which is fine, you know, and you hope it's kind of part of the qu you know, the answer that they give for sure. But I think, you know, do they understand the perspective, you know, or do they have a perspective where they understand that what they do matters the organization as a whole and how much do they think it matters? Or do they just kind of think, hey, this isn't what I do is not a big deal, you know? It's just like whatever.

Adam Pavis 10:46

Yeah, and or maybe they're like, I don't know.

Jon Hatch 10:48

Yeah, it's a huge red flag. That's yeah, definitely. And I think all of that is kind of like you're getting an idea of a measurement of of potential like engagement from them, yeah, you know, and and kind of passion and stuff. And then you would know as a leader, what do I need to do? What do I need to do to help my team engage more to create a positive culture, you know, with this team, all that all those kind of things. So I would say that's a great, great question to ask.

Adam Pavis 11:13

To start with, yeah. Which so you're saying kind of a good question for leadership if they're fresh into a team or fresh into a situation, is what do you do here and what do you bring to the table?

Jon Hatch 11:24

Is that kind of the well, what do you do and how does that make our organization successful?

Adam Pavis 11:30

Okay. So then on the flip side of that, what would you say is a healthy question for people who are on the team to new leadership or to leadership in general? Because I think a lot of times when you were talking earlier about how people I don't want to ask a dumb question, I don't want to, you know, a lot of times it's I just don't want to question leadership. I want to learn more. I just don't want to come across like I'm, you know, undermining or, you know, or almost coming across making them feel like they're dumb or they didn't explain it well. It's just you need a little bit more information and you don't want to be the person who's like, Yeah, you don't make any sense. So how would you how would what what how would you structure that question or that conversation back?

Jon Hatch 12:14

I think so. Here's a great question I think people could ask of their leadership. Um, and I this is kind of a brave, a brave question, I would I would say though. Um so but that's why we're talking about it. Right. Yeah. So I would say if you can ask your leadership, like, hey, I understand what my role is in terms of my title, my job description, I and I understand what expectations come with that title and job description. Is there anything else that you as our leader expect from me that I'm not aware of? Like, I would ask that question. And if they say, well, no, not really, you know, like, okay, yeah, sounds good, right? Or they say, well, actually, yeah. You know, if we could do this, if when you if as you do your role, if you could do this as well, and then they go on, right? Then now you know, hey, there's this, you're basically asking the question, is there any unspoken expectations that I need to be aware of? Yeah, and I think that's a fair question to ask, you know. What would be nice is if we didn't have to ask that. Right. Yeah. Right. If if our leadership just came in and said, hey guys, I know this is our roles and this is what we're trying to do as a team. But along with that, here's what I'd like to see as well. You know, um, but that rarely happens. I think good leadership understands they need to do that, right? Um, you shouldn't have unspoken expectations, but a lot of times we do, we all do. Um, because we all have different standards for how things need to be done and done well, all that kind of stuff, too. So a great thing for people to ask their leadership is hey, is there something else that you expect me to do or expect me a different way you expect me to do something that I need to be aware of? Yeah. That's a great question, you know, to ask.

Adam Pavis 13:56

I think, yeah. I'm thinking back through so many different um through different like design situations and clients and things like that. I would have that's a really good question to to throw out there. Cause there's those times where you know you finish everything and then all of a sudden it's hey, we couldn't find the the logo closer and openers for like when we do videos in the file that you sent over. And it's like, yeah, because I didn't make that. Uh it's not in there. Like, oh you're thinking, oh, I I didn't know that that was something you were expecting on that side. Um exactly. And we do you do send out like a a list, hey, for what you're paying for, this is what you're getting. So sometimes it's just missed. Oh, we just thought that that was part of like the final file types we get, whatever it is. Okay, that's a good no, that's I like that. I think those are both pretty solid. So I mean, we've we've talked about we've asked questions about asking questions. But why I'm curious, I guess, why why asking questions is so important, or it's you know, it's such a backbone aspect of leadership. Where kind of where does that stem from? Where's where's the the thought that runs through, you know, asking good questions or asking questions or being inquisitive, and then leadership, how those two really, really kind of ratchet down and tie together.

Jon Hatch 15:18

Well, LeadTough, you know, not loud is all about leadership growth. That's kind of what we're you know, and developing as a leader. And I think one of the things that we talk about in Lead Tough, not you know, not loud, is that wisdom is a major part of personal leadership and personal growth, and that you want to acquire wisdom. Well, asking questions leads to wisdom. It does. That's just like a proven, you know, kind of life principle. Um, you know, John Maxwell has a book, Good Leaders Ask Great Questions, uh, which is a great read. It talks all about questions and good questions to ask and how do you frame questions, all that kind of stuff. Um, you know, but in there, more or less, he says the learning to harness the power of questions opens the door to a few things. And and for me, this is kind of how I would summarize it. That when you ask good questions, you it opens the door to humility, to creativity, and connection in every relationship that we find ourselves in. Wow. So create so humility, creativity, and connection in every relationship. And those things really lead to being wiser about those relationships that we're in, which is what ultimately as leaders we're trying to be about, right? And that wisdom and practicing that wisdom builds trust in those relationships. And that is the heart of good leadership to build trust with those that you're leading, yeah. Those that follow you. Um, and so when you ask good questions of people, when you ask good questions about things, um, it leads to humility because you're asking a question, first of all, that you don't know the answer to. That's why you're asking a question, right? So you typically go to somebody who you think knows the answer, whether it's in a group setting, whether it's one-on-one, whatever it is, and you think this person has the answer that I'm looking for, or I'm hoping they have the answer, or maybe they have an answer. So I'm gonna go ask them about this situation or about this topic or about whatever it is, right? And there's a humility aspect. So even asking questions and approaching somebody with a question, there's a step of humility in that. Um, and so that's a key factor, you know, in relationship building and building trust in a relationship. Um, but also there's, you know, asking good questions leads to creativity, right? How can how can I lead better then? Yeah. When I ask a question, you know, I'm I'm trying to discover how can I do a better job as a leader or how can I do a better job in my role in the context of where I'm leading. And so again, it leads to create it leads to creativity as well, too. And then obviously connection, right? When you ask a question of somebody maybe above you or somebody level with you and position, and I'm talking about like position or title, or somebody like below you, you know, then you're forming a connection with that person.

Adam Pavis 18:04

You're you're becoming eye-level with those people, even if sometimes it feels like the hierarchy or the org chart in an organization makes it feel like there's these levels and I can't ask that person. Yep. They're too high up, or even reverse, you know, I hold this title or I have these letters before my title, whatever it is. I shouldn't be going to these employees, these teammates at that lower level for answers. I should either know it or I should figure it out some different way, you know, or you can kind of break those barriers down. Absolutely.

Jon Hatch 18:34

Like how let me just ask you like, how do you feel when somebody comes to you and they have like an important question to ask? Like, how does that make you feel?

Adam Pavis 18:42

It makes me feel important for sure. Right?

Jon Hatch 18:44

Like, like, hey Adam, you know, I've been wanting to ask you this. I need, I need kind of your advice on this. I have a question for you. And like right away, you're feeling like, okay, well, number one, this person, you know, thinks highly of me, or they kind of there's some respect there, there's some trust right there as well. Um, and they do trust you enough to come with you to something that's really important and ask you, yeah, right. And they they care about what your thoughts might be. There's a connection in that that's formed right there. I mean, and it's that's an important aspect to asking questions that you need to think about. Whether it's somebody above you or somebody below you, whatever it is, like to your point, yeah, it eliminates barriers, it brings everybody on the same level and and builds trust, you know, in the relationship.

Adam Pavis 19:30

Well, I know too, from a leadership standpoint, when you ask the people on your team questions, um, and you just kind of you pull them into that dialogue that that back and forth, and you make them feel like that's acceptable, you end up with a stronger team because they feel then next time when you're asking, does anybody have any questions? If you're sitting in Zoom calls or meetings and it's, you know, does anybody have anything they want to add? Does anybody have any questions? And it's horrendously awkwardly silent. I Would do like a quick check. How are these structured? Why do people feel like they can't even answer back? This should feel like a very it should flow like water, not like mud. Like it should be a very like back and forth, should be very easy, very simple in those scenarios. Yeah. And I think we've we've all been in those meetings where it the silence is just it hangs for way too long. Yeah. And you almost just want to be the person who leans in and is like, no, can we go now? Or are we done here? This is a lot to take it, you know.

Jon Hatch 20:30

Yeah, and I think that's a good point. So creating an environment, an atmosphere, a culture where questions are okay, right? And even though, yeah, there's dumb questions sometimes, I think it's making everybody feel safe to ask questions if they have them. And I think that's an important aspect that leaders need to need to provide, you know, and stuff as well, too. Um, I guess to kind of wrap this up, here's here's why it's such a big deal to me, because I feel like good tough leaders ask more questions than they give answers. Um a lot of leadership that I've seen, like they're talking a lot. Leaders, leader, most leadership tends to talk a lot. And I think there's a reason for that. And I I think the reason is you know that they leadership is a responsibility, and everybody's looking to the leader as a person who's supposed to have the answers. And so that pressure of needing to have the answers kind of tends to make us feel like we have to just talk, right? And we have to say something or whatever, and and kind of pretend like we have the answers. I think that's kind of a misconception of what leadership is. I think leadership, tough leadership, good leadership, great leadership, is somebody who's brave enough to say, you know what, I don't have the answer to this. We don't have the answers to this, but we're gonna find out, we're gonna figure it out, and then lead their team to discover solutions, creative solutions, creative answers, whatever. And that starts with asking questions. Leaders need to start asking more questions than they give answers. Hey, thanks for listening. We know your time is valuable, so we hope this episode was valuable to you. For more information about LeadTuff Not Loud, visit leetuff.com.