
Essential Questions Every Leader Should Ask
A note to young leaders.
This summer break, I read a truly excellent book: “Wait, What? And Life’s Other Essential Questions”, by James Ryan.
We’ve already spoken about how the questions you ask determine the direction your head is facing and how this in turn determines what you see and where you choose to go.
According to Ryan there are five key questions you should get in the habit of asking yourself and others:
- “Wait, what?” This gets you (and others) to slow down and make sure the issue at hand is well understood. It‘s easy – way too easy – to shoot from the hip based on assumptions. In almost every instance, it’s better to clarify the facts first and to judge or solve second.
- “I wonder why/if … ?” I wonder why this is done this way? I wonder if we did it this way what would happen? These are non-threatening questions that promote curiosity and lateral thinking. They also open you up to opportunities and experiences you didn’t even realise existed.
- “Couldn’t we at least … ?” This is a great question for getting unstuck, or nudging others to try something new.
“Couldn’t we at least try xyz?” is a very difficult question to say “no” to and a great way to nudge a negotiation forward.
Ryan is right – a habit of asking non-threatening questions can make a massive difference to your business success and relationships.
Give it a try.
(I’ll cover Ryan’s other two questions and his bonus question in my next post.)