By Dan Nielsen
As a leader, you’re expected to have the answers. Whether the questions are coming from customers, clients, competitors, employees, or the media, it’s important to be equipped with the right answer at the right time.
But there is something even more important for leaders than having the right answers. Michael Hyatt recently addressed this topic in a valuable article and podcast titled “What Leaders Need Even More Than the Right Answers:”
“While [having the right answers] is definitely important in some situations – especially when responding to the people you are accountable to – it is not the key to success as a leader. There is something even more important than having the right answers.”
So what could be more important? Asking the right questions. Because only by asking good questions will you be able to learn from the answers, and learning, growing, and improving as a leader is one of the most important things you can do!
If you are to become a more successful leader, particularly as you move up the chain of command and assume even greater responsibility and accountability, you must consistently improve at asking relevant, precise, and insightful questions.
In his article and podcast Hyatt provides the following suggestions for asking better questions:
- Ask open-ended questions
- Get behind the assumptions
- Get both sides of the story
- Ask follow-up questions
- Get comfortable with “dead air.”
- Help people discover their own insights
- Understand the difference between facts and speculation
- Take notes
How are you at asking good questions? An honest, supportive, and positive discussion with your direct reports and/or leadership team, evaluating how you and they are doing in this critical area of leadership would no doubt prove extremely valuable for all concerned.
Have the discussion. Think about it, what do you have to lose? Absolutely nothing! What might you gain? Improved leadership, culture, and performance throughout your organization!
Take the lead. Have the discussion. Start asking better questions, and reap the positive results!
Copyright © 2014 by Dan Nielsen – www.dannielsen.com
National Institute for Healthcare Leadership – www.nihcl.com
America’s Healthcare Leaders – www.americashealthcareleaders.com