First Person: Why Leaders Ask so Many Questions

I used to hear people say, "Things aren't always what they seem". I being the inquisitive person that I am would wonder, "If they aren't what they seem, then what are they?" This curiosity started when I was a child and has been with me all of my life. Asking questions is something that I love to do because it helps increase my level of understanding. In addition, asking questions sometimes introduces accountability and removes barriers for communication which helps when trying to find a solution. I didn't know all of this when I was younger and I certainly didn't know that I would use this skill in my personal life or that I would need this skill in my career as a leader. Regardless of whether or not I knew it, I understand why leaders ask so many questions.

I have a male friend that I have been blessed to know since1992 and when he hears me say, "I've been thinking", he cringes! He is fully aware that I am going to ask some directed, strategic questions that he doesn't want to answer. More importantly, he knows that we will engage in a conversation that is honest; one where there is no room for excuses which can leave either one of us in a vulnerable state. The reason that I ask questions in this way is because I truly want to get an understanding of the situation. In leadership, if you are going to make an informed decision, you have to be informed. This means you will need all of the information that you can obtain in order to make the best decision for each situation you encounter. If you've ever found yourself saying these words, '‹Å"Had I known" and you can fill in the blank, you realize that you would have made a different decision if you had more information. One of the ways to gain information is to of course, ask questions.

I have to admit that I've met some of the most intelligent people being in leadership. I'm not speaking of my peers and colleagues although they were smart; I'm talking about my direct reports! Some of them had the departmental experience coupled with the education to do my job better than I. Others simply made it a point to learn policy and procedure in an effort to manipulate the system. Either way, my team members were very smart and I had to ask questions so that I could hold them accountable. One team member immediately comes to mind because she would always tell me that she needed to go to the restroom, after I wasn't able to locate her during her shift. It wasn't until I met with her and asked her how many times each day she was going to the restroom and for how long that we were able to curb the behavior. When she realized that documentation revealed a pattern of hours missing from each work day and that she was possibly facing corrective action, she no longer needed to take several restroom breaks.

Being able to ask questions allows you to engage in conversation. As you begin to balance listening with speaking, you cultivate relationships and build trust along the way. In leadership, building relationships, communicating effectively, and fostering unity is critical to your success. I have learned that posing questions isn't solely about asking, it is also about timing and understanding your audience. As much as I enjoy asking questions, I understand that as a leader when I ask the right questions at the right time, I am able to effectively lead my team as well as the business.

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