Monday, February 1, 2016

Ask Better Questions

Week after week, people meet and try to solve technical and adaptive problems. Nine times out of ten, there are a lot of questions that surface during the process. Some are helpful and some are not. 

As leaders, it is time for us to ask new and better questions during our upcoming meetings, especially if they are strategic planning meetings. These questions can help you gain a better understanding of how well other people comprehend the work that we are tasked with doing.

So, here is a list of superb and very unique questions:

- Why does our company exist?

- What business are we in?

- What does our current strategic plan tell us to do?

- Why is this important work to do? 

- What do you do that is most important at our company?

- Why do we need to continually improve?

These questions and the subsequent answers by others will give you an insight into the level of strategic and operational understanding of all involved. It may create for you some very important and helpful teachable moments. You may even bring clarity to place of confusion or correct a misalignment in perspective.

This week, practice asking better questions. You will be surprised by what you discover.

Geery Howe, M.A. Consultant, Executive Coach, Trainer in Leadership, Strategic Planning and Organizational Change Morning Star Associates 319 - 643 - 2257

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