Effective leadership requires effective question-asking. Sometimes, the job of a leader can feel as if it is infinitely more answer-providing than question-driving. Despite that, the strongest leaders recognize that the questions more than the answers tend to significantly impact the achievement of those they serve. With that in mind, here are three questions that leaders should ask themselves daily. (In complete honesty, I don’t do this as often as I should.)
This question has the dual benefit of asking people about their hopes and dreams while also making it clear that you, as the leader, are ready to support them. It also emphasizes the leader’s immediate support so that a colleague can grow into the future. An important piece to mention with any of these questions is that if you ask them, you must be willing to hear the answer. A question asked without commitment to connect from the asker will detract from relationships rather than build them up.
I sometimes get an immediate response when I ask this question or something similar. Those are great situations, because they clarify how I can do a better job supporting the people I work with. Sometimes, though, an answer isn’t clear. And that’s okay, too. This question’s value is both the potential responses it leads to and the open invitation to provide constructive and critical feedback on my work as a support.
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