The 50 Most Powerful Questions Smart Leaders Ask

Great leaders promote a culture of curiosity – they lead with questions, not answers

Evgeniy Shvets/ Stocksy

Often leaders assume that people look to them for answers or bold assertions. However, smart leaders acknowledge they don’t have all the answers. They tap into collective wisdom. Great leaders encourage people to think by asking powerful questions instead of providing solutions.

Asking questions not only makes more effective leaders but also more effective teams. Research shows that an inquiry mindset increases contributions and learning behaviors, both individually and collectively. Furthermore, asking questions promotes autonomy – one of the three factors that drive intrinsic motivation.

Posing questions fosters a sense of ownership among employees.

The traditional "command and control" leadership style, where bosses tell people what to do all the time, can mean team members are always waiting for instructions. However, when leaders ask questions, they promote initiative, accountability, and creativity. This results in more productive conversations, critical thi…