I love to ask really deep, provoking questions.
As someone who’s hosted over 200 podcasts and as a high-performance leadership coach, I love the power of a great question.
It challenges people to think more deeply than they might have otherwise and it can give you tremendous insight into a seemingly passing statement.
Asking great questions is definitely a skill all great leaders hone and take time to develop.
Here are my top 3 tips on how to ask great questions:
- Ask the Question and Shut Up – Too many people ask a question and interrupt the answer. Even a “yea” or “I agree” can cause the answer to break it’s natural flow. To show that I’m listening, I like to nod and use my face to react. Let the person bring their answer to its natural conclusion.
- Probe Deeper – Often, people will reveal something about themselves, how they think or an opportunity for them to grow with their answer. It’s on you as a leader, to listen, identify those key words and probe deeper.
- Questions are an Art – You can use rules like ‘never ask a question that can be answered with a yes or no’ but at the end of the day, how you ask the question will reflect the quality of the answer. If you’re not getting answers that you want, it’s on you to pivot and find how to ask the question in the best way for that person. Ultimately, the quality of the question is judged based on how it lands in the ears of the person who’s answering.
For more great tips on how to ask the right questions, check out this week’s Leadership Launchpad Project podcast, Shawna Schuh joins Susan Hobson & I to talk how to ask great questions and how to manage return to work. Find it on Apple, Spotify, Google Podcasts and more.
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Your highest potential is our passion, so let’s unleash it together!
-Rob Kalwarowsky
