HBR On Leadership The Types of Questions Every Leader Should Ask
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Sep 17, 2025 
Leslie K. John and Alison Wood Brooks, both professors at Harvard Business School, explore how asking the right questions can transform leadership. They discuss the difference between open-ended and closed questions, and how effective questioning enhances communication and fosters stronger relationships. The conversation dives into mastering difficult inquiries and the necessity of active listening for meaningful dialogues. They emphasize that strategic questioning not only sharpens understanding but also cultivates trust and collaboration among team members.
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Questions Multiply Benefits
- Asking questions opens information exchange, increases liking, and boosts persuasion.
- Most people underestimate how powerful questions are in business interactions.
Make It Easy To Tell The Truth
- Phrase sensitive questions so admitting the truth is easy by presupposing the negative.
- Use pessimistic or confirmatory framing to make disclosure simpler for the respondent.
Use Follow-Ups And Fit Question Type
- Use open questions for exploration and closed, pointed questions when information may be guarded.
- Always ask follow-up questions to show listening and to elicit richer answers.