"One of the simplest ways to strengthen your leadership is to ask better questions. They can open up information you'd otherwise miss, build trust, and even make you more persuasive. But most of us don't ask enough; and when we do, we don't always ask them in the most effective way. In this IdeaCast episode from 2018, host Sarah Green Carmichael talks with Harvard Business School professors Leslie John and Alison Wood Brooks."
"Actually, the better question might be, what is the benefit of asking questions in business? Because the benefits are so abundant. Um, let me start simply by saying that most people do not ask enough questions and they're missing out on many, many benefits, including that asking questions opens up the door for the exchange of information. When I ask you questions, I'm going to, you're going to answer most likely and I'm going to learn what's in your mind."
Thoughtful questions—open-ended, pointed, or follow-up—can change how leaders are perceived by colleagues. Asking questions opens information exchange, allowing leaders to learn others' perspectives and access valuable unknowns. Regular questioning signals interest, responsiveness, empathy, and perspective-taking, which increases interpersonal liking and trust. Many people ask too few questions and miss opportunities for better decisions and stronger relationships. Asking pointed or well-timed follow-ups can also make leaders appear more persuasive and effective. Simple improvements in when and how leaders ask questions can strengthen leadership, improve collaboration, and surface insights that would otherwise remain hidden.
Read at Harvard Business Review
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