We all know how crucial good listening skills are for leaders, but asking the right questions is just as important. If we don’t ask powerful questions and then actually listen, we won’t learn what we need to know to lead well.
In this series of posts, I’ll review some best practices for asking better questions.
Let’s start with a brief review of “The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever” by Michael Bungay Stanier. This book has sold over 1 million copies and, although published in 2016, remains THE playbook for leaders who want to be more ‘coach-like.’
The book’s key message is: Stay curious for just a little bit longer.
Having an arsenal of great questions can help you resist the urge to begin telling, teaching, or advising for just a bit longer.
Here are Michael’s Top Seven Questions:
- The Kickstart Question: What’s on your mind?
This is how we begin our conversations in a way that is focused and open. - The AWE Question: And what else?
Works as a self-management tool for us as the leader and as a boost for the other six questions. - The Focus Question: What’s the real challenge here for you?
This question begins to funnel the topic in a way that focuses the conversation. - The Foundation Question: What do you want?
This question takes us to the heart of the matter so that our attention is on what really matters. - The Lazy Question: How can I help?
Here we learn what the person wants our role to be. (e.g., listener, supporter, encourager, etc.) - The Strategic Question: If you are saying Yes to this, what are you saying No to?
Saying YES more slowly means being willing to stay curious before committing. - The Learning Question: What was most useful for you?
This question takes advantage of the power of reflection and creates ownership
In the coming months, we’ll deep dive into asking better questions to:
- Create psychological safety
- Deepen connections
- Influence others
- and uncover the truths within your organization that you need to know but don’t yet know.
