Do you want to be a great leader?
What is a great leader… what makes someone a great leader? The truth is leaders come in all forms and all of us at one time or another are leaders. There’s a particular trait that I believe is common amongst all GREAT leaders though.
The key to great leadership is simply this: lead with questions.
There may be a time and place to lead with simple directives. Do this, do that, it’s this way because it’s this way… sometimes edicts and directives are fine. But to be a truly great leader with actual authority you must lead with questions.
Amazing things happen when you lead with questions:
1. Asking a subordinate how to perform a task or solve a problem allows them to discover the solution. It develops their own leadership skills. It gives them ownership of of their work along with a full understanding of what they’re doing, why they’re doing it, all based in their own definitions and experiences. It builds teams and develops confidence and value.
2. It opens up past solutions to scrutiny. A leader may think that the way things were traditionally done is the best way to do them but new perspectives may bring about improvements. As a leader you have to be responsible, knowledgeable, confident and vulnerable to take this approach but leadership can and should be all of those things. We are all teachers and we are all students – great leaders included. If the action or solution you had in mind as a leader is still valid you can navigate to that same end by asking questions of your subordinates… and if there’s a better way to do things, leading with questions is the best way to discover it.
3. Resentment, inferiority, apathy and all the other negative workplace emotions fly out the door when leaders lead with questions. When those attitudes and reactions are gone the degree of productivity and satisfaction skyrocket.
Beware of leaders who constantly dictate. In order to truly lead we have to embrace leading with questions. Humble curiosity will ultimately find the best path forward and those who can execute this the best are the ones most deserving of the title LEADER.
