Most people recognize that question-asking is important. But can you explain why? Do you know where it’s useful? Are there ways you could be using questions, and aren’t?
The Questions Company was founded to help managers become more effective in their roles and enthusiastic about their jobs. As a manager you have the authority to give instructions and set things in motion. But questions are special because, when used properly, they activate the ideas and initiative in your team.
When asked well, questions spark enthusiasm, creativity, and action.
When asked poorly, they can elicit confusion, irritation and resentment.
Here are 10 roles where question-asking is crucial:
- motivate & inspire – what matters the most to you about winning this contract?
- leveraging your team – who wants to take this task? what do you need from me?
- creating accountability – when will this be complete? what will the finished product include?
- connecting & conversing with others – are you alright? is something going on?
- gathering information – which provider has the best track record?
- learning & problem solving – which parts of the model are working properly? which are failing?
- challenge your team – how do you know that is true? what’s your supporting evidence?
- planning & decision-making – what’s the right sequence for communicating this?
- implementing the plan – once we launch, then what happens on the site?
- selling, pitching and persuading – what could you accomplish if we freed up 10 hours per week?
- self-reflection – what went well here? what can I learn from this?
In the coming months we’ll go deeper into each of these. We’ll discuss why each is important and what you can do to become better at them. Stay tuned.
If you’d like to discuss how better questions can improve your team, please schedule a consultation.
