Asking the Right Questions
Ask the Right Questions
Asking the right questions is a key for great leadership. Albert Einstein said. “If I had an hour to solve a problem and my life depended on it, I would use the first 55 minutes determining the proper question to ask, for once I know the proper question, I could solve the problem in less than five minutes.”
Knowing the right question to ask is critical for effective leadership. Asking the right people the right questions will give you the information needed to accomplish your goals, fulfill your vision, and reach your destiny. The right question asked of the right person provides the insights, perspective, and knowledge you need to make the right decisions necessary for success.
Great leaders know who to ask and what to ask.
In the November 2012 issue of Harvard Business Review in the article titled “To Have the Most Impact ask the Right Question” the writer emphasizes the importance of asking the right question to maximize the impact and influence a leader has. So, are you asking the right questions? Are you asking the right people?
Here are 7 suggestions to help ask the right questions:
- Make questions positive rather than negative. For example instead of asking What’s the problem? Ask, How can we improve or build upon what we do or better meet our goal?
- Use questions that engage your team members. For example ask What do you think or how would you…?
- Use more open ended questions, in other words avoid questions that only require a yes or no.
- Always be prepared by making a list of 10 generic questions related to your business, ministry, situation, etc. that you can use for most any situation that arises.
- Be prepared to ask follow up questions.
- Avoid questions that come across like a parent talking to a child.
- Never ask a question if you don’t want an answer..
Successful leadership isn’t about having all the answers, but knowing how to find the right answers by asking the right person the right question. Questions are like keys that unlock the passage way to the the desired destination. As a leader our challenge is to find that right question for the right person to get the answers needed to reach our goals and fulfill our vision.
Great leaders ask right questions
Getting the information you need as a leader from those who are closest to the situation and seeking the Lords direction will allow you to make “Inspired” decisions!
Work at becoming a better leader by asking the right people better questions.
“And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ.” Philippians 1:9-10
