Visionary leaders ask questions for various reasons. Obviously, they want information about the progress of the organization, but they also utilize question asking to make people think, to hold them accountable, and as directional checks.
Well framed, thoughtful question can do all the above, but to do this leaders must formulate questions that require more than a yes or no response. In other words, people should not be able to answer the leader's well designed questions without thinking . One of the greatest achievements of a leader is to precipitate thinking.
Leaders also utilize questions to hold people accountable. A leader delegates, but he/she is always checking progress, and many times this is done by asking questions. People who know the leader is going to check progress are more likely to make progress.
But perhaps the most important role of questioning is to check direction. By this I mean a visionary leader will always keep everyone moving in the same direction. Any time someone presents a new proposal, the leader should ask what I call directional questions - questions such as: "If we implement this, how will it help us achieve our goals and mission?"; or "Could this new strategy be a hindrance to our organizational objectives?"
There may not be a more important role for a leader than assuring everyone understands where the organization is going, and these directional questions can be one way to assure a positive organizational trajectory.
Leaders also utilize questions to hold people accountable. A leader delegates, but he/she is always checking progress, and many times this is done by asking questions. People who know the leader is going to check progress are more likely to make progress.
But perhaps the most important role of questioning is to check direction. By this I mean a visionary leader will always keep everyone moving in the same direction. Any time someone presents a new proposal, the leader should ask what I call directional questions - questions such as: "If we implement this, how will it help us achieve our goals and mission?"; or "Could this new strategy be a hindrance to our organizational objectives?"
There may not be a more important role for a leader than assuring everyone understands where the organization is going, and these directional questions can be one way to assure a positive organizational trajectory.
