A key attribute for being a successful leader is asking “so what?” or “why?”

“I hear what you say, but what does it mean to you” in terms of conclusions, direction, next steps etc.  Some leaders suffer from the “smartest person in the room” approach to management.  You give them the facts and they will make all the decision.  The true leader will ask more questions to get their people to think deeper or broader, and develop their thinking. The challenge for a leader is what question is best to ask at specific times, to guide and develop their team's thinking.

To make a decision, you first clarify the question. Next, what are the “musts” and the “wants” for the outcome? Then think of alternatives and the consequences of each.  The decision then becomes what alternative has consequences that meet the musts and gives the highest score for the wants.  The leader’s role is to get others to think of more alternatives and be sure the consequences are clear.  The more the leader asks, the quicker the team will know what questions are going to be raised and learn to ask themselves the questions first.

Get your team to think by asking great questions.