“Leadership is not as much about knowing the right answers, as it is about knowing the right questions.”
“Questions are the golden keys that unlock hearts and minds.”
You are probably familiar with A.A. – Alcoholics Anonymous. Well, T.A. stands for “Tellers Anonymous!”
I have an addiction – I am addicted to telling! At T.A. meetings I stand up and introduce myself: “My name is Bob and I am a teller.”
Today, I am a recovering teller. However, the temptation to “lead by telling” has never left me.
You could say that this book – sharing my favorite questions with you – is part of my recovery program, as is my blog: LeadingWithQuestions.com. Leading with questions takes preparation, intentionality, discipline and practice. Good news! If I can move from telling to asking, so can you!
Would you like to increase your leadership effectiveness x10?
That is exactly why I have put together this e-book of more than 100 of my favorite “Leading with Questions” questions!
“What do you think?”
If you were in a row boat with your team, how many of them would you want to have row? Might your answer be all of
them? How happy would you be if you ended up being the only one rowing? Probably not so much.
Why then would you want to tackle the challenges, opportunities, problems, and changes needed in your company by telling your staff what they should do? Why would you not want to get all their oars in the water by asking them, “What do you think?” This one simple step has the potential to notably increase your leadership effectiveness!
How do you feel when your boss, colleague, or friend asks you: “What do you think about this challenge or opportunity?”
Valued? Respected? Esteemed? Appreciated?
How might those you supervise, your colleagues, or your friends feel when you ask them: “What do you think about this challenge, opportunity, or issue?”
Maybe you are like many folks I meet, who share that they would love to learn to “lead with questions,” but are not sure they have time to learn this new skill. I share with them that I can teach them how to do so in less than 30 seconds!
All they have to do is memorize these 4 questions:
Can you now close your eyes and repeat back these 4 questions? Congratulations! You are on your way to leading with questions – and in less than 30 seconds!
You will find that sometimes the greatest thoughts will come from the third time you ask, “What else?” When others feel your appreciation for their responses, they begin to feel safe to share their very best thoughts. And you will be the beneficiary!
Johnnie (age 7) comes running into the house, yelling to his mom, “Where did I come from?” Johnnie’s mom has not been expecting this question – well, at least not yet!
But after taking a deep breath and collecting her thoughts just a bit, she invites Johnnie into the living room where she shares all about “the birds and the bees.” Johnnie’s eyes are wide as saucers as he takes in every word. When Johnnie’s mom is finished she says, “Now Johnnie do you understand where you came from?” Johnnie replies, “No! Joey said that he came from California and he asked me where I came from!”
Do you think Johnnie’s mom had wished she had responded to Johnnie’s question with:
“Can you please tell me more?”
You have just read a short excerpt from “Great Leaders Ask Questions: a Fortune 100 List”. If you like what you just read you will want to download and read this entire FREE e-book!
SO WHY DID I WRITE THE BOOK?Helping you win is my only goal!
There are no hidden motives!
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Downloading “Great Leaders Ask Questions: a Fortune 100 List” is also free!
Increasing your Leadership Effectiveness x 10 is the only payment I desire! Simple Click “HERE” to download.
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One evening I was visiting our daughter and during the visit one of our grandsons was verbally abusing his mother when she asked him to do something. This made me very angry but instead of reading him the “riot act” I managed to stay calm and I called him into the room where I was sitting. When he entered the room I said “I have a question for you. Do you shout at your soccer coach like that?” “No” was his reply. “Do you shout at the Boys Brigade Leaders like that?” Again “no” was his reply. I then asked “Then why do you shout at Mummy like that?” He paused for a few seconds, then burst into tears and went to bed.
I wish I had learned to deal with our son and daughter like that when they were the grandson’s age instead of regular use of the”riot act”; I’m sure family life would have been much smoother. Maturity and hind-sight are wonderful things.
Phillip this is brilliant! Thanks for sharing!