Questions

My personal behavioral and leadership style is often driven by questions. I’m a refiner; someone who needs to analyze the details, challenge assumptions, and search for multiple meanings and options. My desire to fine tune and improve processes and projects is the engine that drives many of the questions I pose in my work settings. I’m sure that I share this pattern of behavior with others. Even Garrison Keillor’s imaginary private eye, Guy Noir, is always trying to “find the answers to life’s persistent questions”.

Persons in leadership roles know the power of questions. They can reveal meaning behind behaviors, uncover secrets, unmask emotions and feelings, or challenge the status quo. Perhaps the most daunting challenge a leader faces is trying to figure out if they are asking the right questions. Let me explain.

Many organizational leaders ask: “How can we reduce staff turnover?” The answers to this question generally offer little that will dramatically change the statistics. It’s not surprising that employees become cynical and resign themselves to believing that little can be done to fix the problem.

What would happen if those same leaders attempted to pose a better question (perhaps even the right question)? Imagine asking: “How could we create a work environment that recognizes the souls of our employees, nurtures their creativity, empowers them to act, and offers them dignity and respect?” Would the answers to this question result in more of the same stale programs and behaviors? I doubt it. Might staff turnover be dramatically reduced if this question was fully vetted and the answers addressed by senior management?

If leaders are going to be successful at transforming their organizations the place to begin is by asking better questions. Rather then focus on what’s wrong or needs fixed, leaders need to ask about what is going well, what is possible, what is the right thing to do? Asking these questions will require courage since the answers may surprise and challenge you. Employees are waiting for leaders to ask them about the things that matter and to offer a forum where their answers will be received with respect and acted on with integrity.

The right questions have the power to change our frame of reference, to refocus our energy, to imagine new possibilities. What might those questions be in your organization? Will you be courageous enough to ask them?