180. Good Leaders Ask Great Questions
Empire Building
The Power of Asking Great Questions in Leadership
This chapter explores the negative connotations of the word 'boss' and highlights the importance of being a leader instead. It emphasizes the role of asking great questions in leadership, encouraging critical thinking, problem-solving, and personal growth.
Ready to transform the way you lead? Today's episode is all about the art and power of asking questions, inspired by the wisdom of leadership guru, John Maxwell. We often find ourselves in a world where quick solutions and directives take center stage. However, today we're diving deep into why as leaders, we must prioritize asking over telling. It's not just about having all the answers; it's about teaching others to think critically, to reflect, and to grow. "Bosses have the answers, leaders ask the questions." Join us in exploring how this simple yet transformative shift from giving orders to posing questions can empower your team, foster growth, and unlock new potentials.
Probing Questions:
- Can you elaborate on that?
- How do you think this decision will impact the team?
- What other options have you considered? What if we did this differently?
- How does this connect to our overall goals?
- What lessons can we learn from this experience?
- What are the potential consequences or risks?
- What assumptions are you making in this situation?
- How does this align with our values as a team?
- What is the root cause of this issue?
Strategic Questions:
- What metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) should we track to measure the success and impact of our strategies?
- What are our long-term goals, and how do our current actions align with them?
- What emerging trends or disruptions in the market should we be aware of, and how can we adapt our strategies accordingly?
- How can we differentiate ourselves from competitors and create a unique value proposition for our customers?
- What are the biggest obstacles or challenges we currently face, and what strategies can we implement to overcome them?
- How can we optimize our operational processes to increase efficiency and reduce costs?
- What new markets or customer segments should we target, and what strategies can we employ to reach them effectively?
- How can we enhance our customer experience and build strong relationships to drive customer loyalty and retention?
- What talent acquisition and development strategies should we adopt to build a high-performing and diverse workforce?
- How can we leverage technology and digital transformation to innovate and stay ahead in our industry?
Coaching Questions (Curiosity, Compassion, Courage):
- What do you hope to achieve in this situation?
- What are your strengths that can help you overcome this challenge?
- What part did you play in the situation you are currently experiencing?
- What strategies have you tried before, and what were the results?
- How would you approach this situation if you had all the resources and support you needed?
- What alternative perspectives or options can you consider?
- What is the ONE thing that such by doing, everything becomes easier or unnecessary?
- When was the last time you had great success at something and what was the cost?
- Who can support you in reaching this goal? Are you asking for their help?
- What are you not admitting to yourself right now about this situation?
- In response to “I don’t know” – If you did know, what would it be?
Connect on Instagram:
- Seychelle Van Poole: @seychellevp
- Sarah Reynolds: @sarahreynoldsoji
- Wendy Papasan: @wendypapasan
- Kymber Lovett-Menkiti:
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