The Questioning Leader

Yes, I am still on the question kick. My focus on questions got me thinking about the importance of questions to leading.

Leaders may use questions to focus followers’ attention. Asking questions is a gentle way for leaders to move followers’ attention to whatever the leader thinks is important. Questions also initiate learning. Learning is prompted by the desire to know something, either out of mere curiosity or because of a need to solve a problem or to improve in some way. Asking questions prompts the search for answers. The search for answers cultivates growth and development.

Questions can introduce us to new ways of thinking. Asking “what if” questions can spark creative thinking that may lead to innovative solutions. Questions can lead us to adopt new perspectives and acquire new skills. Questions can draw us beyond our conceived limits to explore new possibilities.

Questions are a leader’s tool to get followers to take ownership of goals and plans. When asked questions and guided in discovering answers, followers actively participate in the identification and implementation of solutions to shared problems. The answers that emerge are those of the followers and not the sole possession of the leader. This empowers followers. They experience the power of taking responsibility for their own destiny.

A key way leaders can contribute to the growth and development of followers, and thereby to the development of leadership, is to ask questions. So, when leading, rather than promote answers, prompt questions. Then lead the followers to answering those questions.