5 Questions Leaders Should Be Asking All The Time 2021

5 Questions Leaders Should Be Asking All the Time to Inspire Curiosity, Creativity, and Deeper Thinking

As a leader, you might have years of experience and the confidence of your organization behind you, but that doesn't mean you have all the answers. In fact, great leaders know how to ask great questions that challenge their employees to think beyond simple solutions and to generate new insights. Asking good questions is not an easy task, though. It requires courage, tact, openness, and listening skills. In this article, we will share five essential questions that leaders should be asking all the time to foster a culture of curiosity, creativity, and deeper thinking in their teams.

1. Wait, what

Too often, we jump to conclusions without having enough information. We listen just long enough to form a quick opinion, and then we either endorse or oppose what has been said. This puts us at risk of making faulty judgments, leaving key assumptions untested, and missing out on potential opportunities. Leaders (as well as their employees) need to be able to ask colleagues and direct reports to slow down and explain in more detail what is being proposed, especially if something doesn't quite sound right or seems too easy to be a lasting solution. Asking \"Wait, what\" is an exercise in understanding, which is critical to making informed decisions and avoiding misunderstandings.

2. I wonder why ... or I wonder if ...

Children are far better than adults at questioning the world around them â nothing is beyond interrogation. But as we grow older, we tend to lose our sense of wonder and curiosity. We settle for the status quo and stop challenging ourselves and others to explore new possibilities. Leaders should be asking \"I wonder why ...\" or \"I wonder if ...\" more often to spark curiosity and creativity in their teams. These questions invite us to look beyond the obvious and to imagine different scenarios and outcomes. They also encourage us to learn from our failures and successes, and to seek feedback and improvement.

3. Couldn't we at least ...

Sometimes, we face situations where we disagree with others or encounter resistance to change. It can be tempting to give up or get frustrated when we can't find a common ground or a viable solution. But leaders should be asking \"Couldn't we at least ...\" more often to resolve conflicts and move forward. This question helps us to find the minimum level of agreement or action that can satisfy both parties and keep the conversation going. It also shows respect and willingness to compromise and collaborate.

4. How can I help

One of the most important roles of a leader is to support their employees and help them grow and succeed. But leaders should not assume that they know what their employees need or want from them. Instead, they should be asking \"How can I help\" more often to offer genuine assistance and guidance. This question shows that the leader cares about their employees' well-being and development, and that they are ready to provide the resources, feedback, coaching, or mentoring that they need. It also empowers the employees to take ownership of their work and goals, and to ask for help when they need it.

5. What truly matters

Last but not least, leaders should be asking \"What truly matters\" more often to keep things in perspective and align their actions with their values and purpose. This question helps us to focus on the big picture and the long-term vision, rather than getting distracted by the daily noise and urgencies. It also helps us to prioritize our tasks and decisions based on what is most important and impactful for ourselves, our teams, our organization, and our society.

Asking these five questions regularly can help leaders create a culture of curiosity, creativity, and deeper thinking in their teams. They can also help leaders improve their own skills and performance as they learn from others, challenge themselves, and stay true to their mission. aa16f39245