Leaders Ask Powerful Questions

We’ve all been ‘told’ what to do.
We’ve all been ‘told’ how to do it.

But being asked :
“How will you feel when we’ve achieved this amazing outcome together?”
Or 
“What do you need from me to make this happen?” creates a very different feeling in the mind of person hearing it, from the directive of ‘Do it this way’.

Managers are really good at reminding their staff what they should be doing. 

The best leaders however create a visual picture of our future, working together, in harmony, with passion and purpose.
And then they’ll ask: “How will you feel when that becomes reality?”

Of course, there’s an element of ‘coaching questions’ in a leader’s questions but there’s also an element of coaching in leadership.

“You’ve just achieved an amazing result! Fantastic. Well done!” 

These words ‘encourage the heart’ (which, of course, the best leaders do regularly) and give genuine recognition for ‘a job well done’.

But if the leader then says “If you were to do it all again tomorrow, what would you do differently?” it has the person value the meaningful recognition - and has them know that their leader respects their assessment of ‘doing things better’, of encouraging them to think about and offer suggestions for improvement.

Leaders who regularly begin their sentences with “What if ….?” encourage those around them so they always consider other possibilities to even the most ‘tried and tested’ processes, to accept ongoing positive change as an an organizational norm.

Leaders show individuals and the team as a whole that he or she cares : “Do you need to take a break?”

Leaders empower their team and the individuals in the team to be at their best by asking: “What are the most important outcomes you’re going to achieve in this?”

Leaders, especially as they ‘Model the Way’ by asking questions, encourage team members to do the same to those around them. As an activity in a team meeting, ask the group to think of questions they could ask, encourage them to think of questions and ask those questions when appropriate.

Wouldn’t it be a better world if we asked more questions…? 
And it isn’t hard to do.
Is it ?