A Core Skill for Leaders

What happens when you frame a great question?

One of my communication axioms is focused on the role and use of questions. 

Ask More, Tell Less; Teach when You Can

 What do you think?

Consider your response if I was coaching you and said: 

Look, you must stop telling people what to do; I need you to start asking more questions. I want you to use open-ended questions, not yes/no questions.  You will not motivate people by telling them what to do.  Okay?

What is your response?

 

Now conisder your response to me as I ask the following…

• What happens when someone “tells” you what to do?
• How do you typically respond to being “told”?
• When it comes to your communication do you tell more or ask more?  How do you know that is true?
• How do you think people respond when you tell more and ask less? 
• What is the impact of a well framed question on the communication experience? 
• What is the impact of a well framed question on the person?
• When someone you respect asks you an open-ended question how do you feel?

 

This core leadership skill – framing great questions – brings positive results. 

Which of the following benefits do you desire in your relationships? 

1. Honor.   When you seek someone’s input they feel valued 
2. Objectivity.   A well-timed question slows the conversation down in a helpful manner
3. Cooperation.   Support and willingness to comply are more likely to be given
4. Performance.   These benefits lead to improved effectiveness

 

Last week I came across a video entitled: “Fifty People, One Question: New York”.   Part of the impact of the video is the masterful way “the story” unfolds.

So, if you have 5 minutes here is the video:

Fifty People, One Question: New York from Fifty People, One Question on Vimeo.

For further reflection or discussion with others:

1.  What did you observe in the video about the impact of the question on the people?

  

2.   How did hearing their story (their answers) affect your thoughts (judgment) toward them?

  

3.  Which person’s answer had the most impact on you?  Why

   

Oh, by the way, at the end of the day what do you wish would happen?

Ask more, tell less, teach when you can.

                          How ready are you to see what will happen…?

Merry Christmas!