Good Leaders Ask Good Questions

Anyone who says they have the answer to every important question is either clueless or lying. So says John Hagel III, founder of Silicon Valley’s Center for the Edge and author of The Journey Beyond Fear. Writing in the Harvard Business Review, Hagel says, “leaders should ask powerful and inspiring questions, convey that they don’t have the answers, and solicit others’ help to find them.”
 
“The kind of questions leaders need to ask,” he adds, “are those that invite people to come together to explore major new opportunities that your organization hasn’t identified yet.” For example: “What is a game-changing opportunity?” or “What are emerging, unmet needs of our customers?” or “How can we customize our services to the specific needs of each client?” Focusing on big opportunities is wise because:

• They are ambitious, and communicate that you want to take your organization to the next level.
  
  
• They invite collaboration—no single person could possibly come up with a complete solution.
  
  
• They can change the culture by inspiring others to identify opportunities and ask for help when they need it.
  
  
• They’ll reinforce the value of questions and of exploring.

 
“Leaders who ask powerful questions,” concludes Hagel, “have the greatest success in both seizing new opportunities and addressing unexpected challenges —and they build cultures that will carry these benefits into the future.”
 
What questions have you asked that have made a difference in your organization? To join the conversation, click "comments" above.

---