4 types of power questions
One of the most essential life skills one should master is the ability to ask great questions. According to leadership expert John Maxwell, “Good leaders ask great questions”. Asking good questions is the very foundation of successful leadership.
When I was a young manager, I was taught that good leaders always have answers for everything. But as I advanced in my leadership, I realised half of my answers were wrong.
My mentor once taught me that questions generate a two-way communication. This draws the team closer because when a leader chooses to ask instead of tell, the team feel valued, seen and heard. Two-way communication also generates better quality ideas, and increases ownership of the decisions.
So how do we ask powerful questions?
Instead of just asking random questions, here is a helpful matrix by Andrew Sobel, author of Power Questions, which can guide us in asking thoughtful questions to team members, managers, clients, and even friends and family.
Top Left quadrant - Strategy
“What” and “Why” will be used here to explore possibilities. You’re focused on rational and analytical questions to explore more on the big picture. “What do you want to achieve from this project?”, “Why is this important to you?”, etc.
Bottom Left quadrant - Execution
“How” and “When” will be used here to nail down an action plan e.g. “How are you intending to achieve that?”, “When is your estimated time of completion?”, etc.
Sometimes, the person you’re talking to will start the conversation at the Execution quadrant. Bring them back to the Strategy quadrant in order to help them really understand what they are trying to achieve.
We are most alive and animated when our emotions are engaged, so it’s worthwhile to understand the emotional or personal side of the discussion at hand. This brings us to the quadrants on the right.
Top Right quadrant - Dreams
Questions here explore the motivations of the person. “How would 10/10 look like for you?” “What would it look like for you if you smash this goal?” “How would it make you feel?”
Bottom Right quadrant – Fears
Questions here explore fears and anxieties. Fear can be a very powerful motivator and it’s important to be able to identify and voice out concerns or things that might hold the person back. “What is really frustrating you about this project?” “What is keeping you awake at night?”
For most young leaders, it can feel safer and more comfortable to stick to the Strategy and Execution quadrants. But the most transformational conversations can develop from the questions asked on the right side of the matrix. ●