How to Lead with Questions, Not Perfect Answers

"Bureaucracies are built by and for people who busy themselves proving they are necessary, especially when they suspect they aren't." -…

Questions encourage people to think— Pic by Emily Morter

“Bureaucracies are built by and for people who busy themselves proving they are necessary, especially when they suspect they aren’t.” — Ricardo Semler

Leaders are expected to be perfect (though they shouldn’t be).

That’s why, in many organizations, being right equals to having authority — certainty is rewarded, and questions are not allowed. The lack of a challenging mentality is an expensive mistake to make — companies end solving the wrong problem.

Leadership models need to shift from owning knowledge to promoting a culture of curiosity.

Managers are not meant to solve for everyone’s problems — people have the ability and responsibility to find their own solutions. Encourage people to ask questions. Hold back your impulses; resist the temptation for (any) quick answer.

Leading with questions is an invitation for everyone to think.

The Beauty Lies in the Question

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