Good Leaders Ask Great Questions

john c. maxwell.

good leaders ask great questions.

your foundation for successful leadership.

welcome to this big idea chapter.

for this type of chapter, our editors choose one thought-provoking insight from a book so you can learn something new within just a few minutes.

this time the idea we'd like to talk about is the prominence of questioning in leadership.

central to this is the conviction that being a great leader doesn't necessitate having all the answers.

instead, it's anchored on having the curiosity and courage to ask pertinent questions.

in an era where success is often measured by the quality of answers, the art of asking the right questions can often be disregarded.

however, it's important to remember that every enlightening answer began its journey as a humble question.

great leaders understand this and don't merely provide answers.

they cultivate a culture that values and encourages questioning.

this applies not only to their interactions with their teams but also to their self-improvement journeys.

successful leadership isn't about hoarding knowledge.

it's about inciting curiosity, sparking discussion and bridging understanding.

it's about learning something new as much as it's about leading people.

and all this starts with the willingness to ask, how can i do better?

keep the questioning constant.

imagine yourself as the captain of a ship navigating turbulent waters.

to effectively steer, you cannot merely rely on past experiences or plans, but you must adjust your sails according to the wind, measure the depth of waters and continually engage with your surroundings.

this is the essence of leadership, adaptability, humility and an unceasing desire to learn and improve.

it's not about having all the answers.

instead, it's about asking the right questions.

one such self-reflective question you may ask could be, am i investing in myself?

it's an important question that signals your readiness to grow and expand.

the investment you make in yourself is dictated by how much you believe in your capabilities and the size of your dreams.

if you aspire to have a significant impact, your investments should align with this ambition.

consider for instance how a gardener cultivates their plants, watering, nurturing and investing time and resources to see them bloom.

you are the gardener of your life and your personal growth is that budding plant.

it needs inputs, resources, knowledge, experiences and time.

the more you nurture it, the more abundant and fulfilling the outcome.

and what about the people you choose to surround yourself with?

people fuel our thoughts, influence our actions and help mould our perceptions.

surround yourself with individuals who share your zeal for large dreams and personal development.

they will inspire you, support you and journey with you as you navigate the path toward your ambition.

another profound question to reflect upon is, am i a grounded leader?

this question nudges you to dig deeper into your leadership style and identify any areas you need to work on.

grounded leaders are humble, authentic and driven by a calling greater than themselves.

their humility allows them to empower their teams rather than seek personal ranking or acknowledgement.

their authenticity prevents the creation of facades and encourages honesty, even in admitting individual flaws or failures.

their calling is a purpose greater than personal achievement or recognition.

it is essentially the reason why they lead.

this calling keeps them anchored, gives them perspective and infuses their actions and decisions with significance.

yet, leadership isn't just about personal introspection.

it extends towards a productive dialogue with your team.

asking them, what do you think?

not only encourages an open-door policy but validates their insights.

the varied perspectives that arise from this singular question can prove invaluable in weighing multiple solutions, making sound decisions and uncovering hidden obstacles.

lastly, consider asking your team, what do i need to communicate?

this invites you to step into their shoes, understanding their needs, concerns and what they want to know about.

it's easy to focus on the content, the statistics, numbers and decisions.

but understanding the context of their understanding can significantly improve how effectively you deliver your message.

let's recap.

leadership is all about asking the right questions.

such inquiries stimulate introspection and stir dialogue with your team, contributing to professional and personal growth.

it's about humility, authenticity, continual learning and effective communication.

it's about asking, listening and then leading.

the leadership journey, like navigating a ship, is a constant phase of learning and adjusting.

and it all starts with a question.

okay, that's it for this chapter.

thanks so much for listening.

and if you can, please take the time to leave us a rating.

we always appreciate your feedback.

see you in the next chapter.