I spend virtually all of my time around leaders.
I facilitate strategic planning sessions for them, I coach them, I speak to them in workshops and keynote addresses, break bread with them, and celebrate victories with them.
As a leader yourself, you will not be surprised to learn that, over the years, I’ve found leaders to be skillful problem-solvers.
Fixing things has helped you get to the top of the food chain.
Good leaders are problem-solvers. Exceptional leaders are great questioners.
So when you stop acting like Mr. Goodwrench and start leading like Socrates, you’ll find that occasionally setting aside your direct approach and adopting a more inquisitive one will change you and your organization for the better.
Greg’s article in Leader to Leader
In the Winter 2015 issue of Leader to Leader magazine, I discuss how not asking questions stifles growth.
And I examine three scenarios for using questions to:
- Unlock organizational potential
- Develop the talent around you
- Address under-performance
Isn’t it time you started leading with questions?