Asking the Right Questions

As a Leader we need to be asking the Right Questions

This is imperative when striving to become a great leader

Unfortunately most leaders are asking the wrong questions

The art and science of asking questions is fundamental but generally in our rush to get to the answer and move on we just don't do this effectively enough. We often prioritise immediate answers over profound understanding.

Think about the impact.

When we fail to ask exploratory questions -

We can miss out on creative solutions and critical thinking.

Get to the heart of the matter and providing clear, actionable data.

In this article we will be looking at two types of questioning strategies;

Harvesting and Enquiring

Both have specific criteria and will garner different results that can bias decision-making.

Harvesting Questions:

Harvesting questions will generally get to the heart of the matter, providing clear, actionable data.

To obtain these results consider;

•   Frame questions to gather the exact information needed
•   Situate questions within the current project or goal for clarity
•   Ensure questions solicit information that can directly influence decision-making and outcomes

Enquiring Questions:

Inquiring questions can develop an innovation mind-set, encouraging teams to think beyond the art of 'why', 'what' and 'how'.

To obtain these results consider;

• Encourage the team to think about alternative scenarios and the paths they could explore
• What if we tried a different approach?
• Prompt deeper thinking about the reasons behind current methods or beliefs
• Why adhere to this particular strategy? Is it still the right course of action?
• Open up possibilities for innovation and new solutions
• How might we improve this process to achieve better results?

So, what’s the solution?

Master the art of asking BOTH of these types of questions.

A leadership style can be transformed with this approach.

This will benefit leadership growth, team engagement and often significantly increase productivity, team dynamics and encourage a positive work ethic.

These are some of the benefits;

• Informed Decision-making
• Promoting Engagement
• Greater Understanding
• Better Relationships
• Fosters a deeper Learning Culture
• Enhances Problem-Solving
• Encourages Dialogue
• Clarifies Objectives

Remember, asking better questions = enables a better understanding of the situation

About the Author

My name is Mike Davis and I have been managing and supporting transformational change within major corporates for over 30 years. I am a keen contributor to the digital agenda and would be very interested in supporting and advising on successfully delivering business transformation change programs. Feel free to review my LinkedIn profile and should you wish to have a brief confidential discussion, a project or program review or engagement for a bid or program delivery please do not hesitate in contacting me.

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