Asking questions, rather than telling people what to do is essential for leadership success.
The leader of the past may have been a person who knew how to tell, but the leader of the future will be a person who knows how to ask. -Peter Drucker
Powerful questions engage brain activity, lead to self-discovery, and tap into inner motivation and engagement. A powerful question doesn’t just uncover facts but leads to reflection, examination, adjustment and a commitment to action.
If you want your leadership to bring out the best in others, enlarge your capacity to ask good questions. Here are a few types of questions you can use to increase the effectiveness of your dialogue, problem solving, team work, and interactions with others.
Seven Types of Questions that Increase Leadership Engagement
1. Situation Questions
Situational questions engage the memory and get dialogue started. They are focused on what is going on in the present situation.
For example…
- What’s going well for you?
- Where are you stuck?
- Who’s working with you on this?
2. Motivation Questions
Motivation questions explore underlying motivation, the decision making process, and the underlying priorities at work. They get to the story behind the story.
For example…
- What led you to make this decision?
- What is your reasoning behind the solution you are proposing?
- What priority is this action tied to?
3. Ideal Outcome Questions
Ideal outcome questions help people explore goals and future potential. They can help a person get unstuck when mired down by limiting beliefs.
For example…
- What is your goal or dream for the future?
- What do you imagine as the best possible outcome to this situation?
- Where would you like to be in two years?
4. Implication Questions
Implication questions allow people to explore potential consequences to actions or decisions. They test assumptions and may be positive or negative.
For example…
- If you don’t make this change, what might happen?
- If you do make this change, what impact will it have?
- How will this decision impact the people we serve?
5. Sensory Questions
Sensory questions tap into the feelings and experiential reality of people. They explore the feelings and emotional reality that exists.
For example…
- How are you experiencing this situation right now?
- What impact does this decision have on you emotionally?
- How do you want to feel? What will get you there?
6. Columbo Questions and Statements
Columbo style questions and statements appear awkward and unassuming but are very useful for approaching a situation with curiosity. They help uncover the truth in a stealth sort of way.
For example…
- Help me understand what’s going on here.
- How does this work?
- Tell me more about this situation or this problem.
7. What Else Questions
What else questions dig below the first response. It takes the dialogue and conversation one level deeper.
There is really only one question…
- What else?
Put Into Practice
Which of these question types could you practice in your leadership this week? Identify a person you are working with and a problem or project you are working on and put the questions to work.
You will not only strengthen your leadership but find greater engagement from those you work with. Watch and see how effective asking is compared to telling. Let me know what you see.
