GA 510 | The Role of Questioning and Curiosity in Leadership with Scott McDuffee
Jan 11, 2024
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Scott McDuffee, a leadership expert, discusses the role of questioning and curiosity in leadership, dealing with "CAVE" people, and best practices for continuous improvement. He emphasizes the significance of genuine curiosity and effective questioning, as well as the importance of being coachable and humble as a leader. Strategies for handling resistance to change and valuing different perspectives are also explored.
Leaders should embrace curiosity and ask purposeful questions to drive engagement, development, and problem-solving within their team.
Effective leaders combine curiosity and humility to understand processes, engage with team members, and drive successful continuous improvement.
Deep dives
The Power of Asking Questions as a Leader
One of the main ideas discussed in the podcast is the importance of asking questions as a leader. It was emphasized that leaders should not feel the need to have all the answers, but rather should humbly seek the input and feedback of their team members. The power of asking purposeful and thought-provoking questions was highlighted, as it encourages engagement, development, and problem-solving within the team. Specific examples were given of leaders who successfully used questions to drive change and improvement, such as asking what it would take to achieve certain goals or solve specific problems. By fostering a culture of curiosity and embracing questions, leaders can drive effective transformations and sustain continuous improvement efforts.
The Role of Curiosity and Humility in Leadership
Another key point discussed in the podcast was the importance of curiosity and humility in leadership. It was emphasized that leaders should approach their work with genuine curiosity, being genuinely interested in understanding processes and engaging with their team members. The podcast highlighted that being genuinely curious allows leaders to calibrate expectations, teach, and get things done. It was mentioned that curiosity should not be a generic or superficial approach, but rather a deep dive into understanding processes, problems, and challenges. Additionally, humility was highlighted as a valuable virtue for leaders, as it allows them to acknowledge that they don't have all the answers and that they rely on the expertise and input of their team members. The combination of curiosity and humility enables leaders to build the capacity and capability of their team members and drive successful continuous improvement.
Addressing Challenges and Naysayers as a Leader
The podcast also addressed the challenges that leaders face when trying to implement lean practices and continuous improvement. One of the main challenges highlighted was the need for leaders, especially executives, to fully engage and involve themselves in the process. It was mentioned that leaders often underestimate the level of engagement and commitment required to drive change and improvement. The podcast emphasized the importance of leaders not feeling the need to know all the answers, but instead navigating the gray areas and helping others through change. Specific recommendations were given on how leaders can overcome challenges, such as learning how to ask purposeful questions and involving team members in problem-solving. Additionally, the podcast addressed how to approach individuals who are resistant to change or have negative attitudes. The importance of listening, acknowledging their concerns, and finding ways to include them in the process were emphasized. By addressing challenges and building a culture of engagement and respect, leaders can successfully implement continuous improvement initiatives.
This week's guest is Scott McDuffee. Ron and Scott discussed the role of curiosity in leadership, dealing with "CAVE" people, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.
In this episode you'll learn:
Scott's favorite quote (3:12)
His background (3:59)
The challenges he's faced (6:01)
The role of curiosity in leadership (11:08)
A technique Scott used (13:29)
Opening up with general questions (16:30)
Scenarios that involve the power of questioning (17:50)
Dealing with "CAVE" people (21:44)
Advice Scott would give to his younger self (25:34)
What he is most proud of as it relates to his lean journey (27:22)
Podcast Resources
Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3
Our Live Instructor Events
Scott on LinkedIn
Scott's Art
Scott on Instagram
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What Do You Think?
How else do you leverage curiosity and asking questions as a leader?
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