Five Questions That Move People Forward 🏃‍♀️‍➡️

 

The language of leaders is questions. Asking the right ones can spark curiosity, unlock creative thinking, and create those “aha!” moments that keep things fresh and engaging.

When you turn conversations into a playful exchange of ideas, you not only keep everyone energized, but you also make problem-solving feel like a team sport.

By focusing on asking rather than telling, leaders tap into the natural way people’s brains process information, which can significantly increase engagement and foster a stronger sense of ownership among team members.

Listed below are five short questions that do this well.

How so?

Whenever it's not clear what someone is saying -- or if they make a general statement but details are lacking, use this 2-word question to discover more.

Example: if someone makes a comment in a 1:1 like, “This project going pretty well,” it's helpful to expand on that so both they and you recognize specifically what's working so that you can build upon it for the future. You also want to hear more about what they think is going well, so you're both on the same page.

“How so?” often opens up a ton of conversation that leads to a deeper understanding of what's being discussed and how the organization benefits from it.

What's an example of this?

Leaders often find themselves in conversations discussing something that's not working. Whenever that happens, this question is helpful for both parties to understand the problem and move towards a solution faster.

Example: when an employee says, “I'm having a hard time getting cooperation from the marketing team,” asking for an example helps you both get clear on the actual problem.

Sometimes the example doesn't at all match what they initially described. That's helpful so you can calibrate on what's actually being discussed before attempting to resolve the issue.

How will you know you’re on the right track?

Leaders are regularly working with people to help them get better at things that aren't easy to measure. Articulating milestones in advance helps make it more apparent when things are heading in the right direction.

Example: in addition to asking someone to “get better at communication skills,” you might help them identify that they are on the right track when, “your team members consistently meet Friday deliverables once you articulate clear expectations.”

Almost everything is measurable if you ask this question to surface milestones in advance.

What’s the next step?

Some of the best learning comes from simply starting. Asking this question helps people identify both where to begin and what gets them moving.

Example: if an employee discusses a complex problem with you, you might consider ending the conversation with, "What's the next step?" This makes it clear to both of you what they are doing to move forward and also signals their ownership of the situation.

Asking people to articulate a next step helps make complex work more manageable.

What’s one thing you’d suggest?

Leaders need to ask for feedback, but many find that they don't get a lot of useful responses. Rather than asking someone to evaluate your past performance, ask for one suggestion for the future.

Example: most employees will hesitate to answer a question like, "Do you have any feedback for me?" because they have to decide if it's safe to tell you what they think. You make it a lot easier for people to answer if you simply ask for one suggestion for the future -- and as a result, you'll get better input.

Don't ask for an evaluation of the past. Use this question to open up how to make the future better.

So, whether you're asking for a next step or seeking that one fresh suggestion, remember that progress and improvement are just a question away! Embrace these simple but powerful prompts, and watch your conversations become more engaging, your work more manageable, and your path forward clearer than ever. Let’s make every interaction a stepping stone to something greater!

Stay inspired, lead boldly!

Peter Mclees, Leadership Coach, Trainer and Performance Consultant
SMART DEVELOPMENT

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