Finding Answers

It has been said that some of the best leaders ask many questions.  They ask questions that help them visualize all the sides of a particular issue or problem.  The questions provide clarity and/or lead to specific answers for the leader to make tactical decisions in meeting their goals.  So following this logic if we all ask questions then we should all be great leaders, right?

Of course not.  It is not that great leaders ask questions, it is that they ask the right questions.  The answers to these questions lead them to specific conclusions.

So how do you formulate the right questions?  (Since no one is born with this skill it has to be learned.)

You formulate the right questions by knowing in advance what it is that you are seeking to understand.  Think of a scientist when they perform an experiment.  They have a question that they are seeking an answer to i.e. Galileo wanting to know what happens when you drop different objects with different weights from a height.  The scientist formulates a hypothesis that seeks to understand or test the question they have.  Again looking at Galileo he stated to himself that the heavier objects would fall faster than the lighter ones.  Heck! it makes sense, they are heavier.  Then the scientist creates a method to prove or disprove his/her hypothesis.  In the case of Galileo his method was to drop different objects from a tower at the same time and see which landed first.  After a number of attempts he recorded his results.  The scientist does this as well, recording the results of their methods used.  In Galileo’s case he found that, at a particular height, the heavy and light objects fell at the same rate of speed.  The final part is the conclusion in which they interpret  the data from the results and define what the information means.

Great.  Thanks for the science 101 class, you are probably thinking.  The example has relevancy to how great leaders formulate and ask questions.

Great leaders have assumptions when they are presented with a problem and/or need to make a decision.  Those assumptions are their hypothesis.  A leader will then ask either open ended or close ended questions to validate or invalidate their assumptions.  The answers to those questions (the results) will lead them to either make a decision or ask more questions (the conclusion).  This process is rapidly done in the leaders mind and applied.

Here is how you can apply this today:

• Remember that your assumption or hypothesis is not set in stone.  It is to be proved or disproved.  Do not fear that your assumption will be overturned.  That is a great thing it means that you a finding the real answer.

• Your methods need to be well honed and practiced.  Too many times people only ask close ended questions.  You know them right? (See a close ended question.. yes or no.)  Open ended questions are the best.  They signal to everyone involved in the process that you are open to many different sources of information.  The best line of questioning is a mix of open and close ended questions.

• Listen to the results.  One more time just in case you did not get it the first time, LISTEN TO THE RESULTS (aka the answers.)  In them you will find the gems to either continue the questioning to find more information and/or formulate your decision.

• When you make your conclusion from all the information you have received, first be honest with yourself:  Is your assumption flawed?  Do you need more information?  Second be honest with the team you lead about your conclusion, even if it means that your assumption was wrong.  Third, if your conclusion leads to a decision be decisive and move forward.

Seeking To Understand To Be Understood

Think like a scientist, ask well thought and formulated questions, listen to the results, and be decisive.  You will be on the right track of leading the pack.